MACUNGIE, Pa. – Supporters of Pennsylvania skill games gathered Thursday at the Macungie VFW Association, urging state lawmakers to pass legislation regulating the machines before an Oct. 13 deadline set following a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling.
The rally brought together nonprofit organizations, small business owners and community members who say revenue generated by the machines helps fund daily operations, charitable donations and community programs.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that skill game machines fall under the state’s gambling laws.
Supporters are now asking the Pennsylvania House and Senate to approve legislation creating a regulatory framework before the court’s deadline.
Without a new law, supporters say the machines could be forced to shut down.
State Senator Jarrett Coleman said many organizations rely on the revenue generated by the machines to support their communities.
“If they lose the revenue from this, from these games, they’ll no longer be able to contribute to the community in the ways that they have,” Coleman said.
Dan Lee, president of the Macungie VFW Association, said the organization depends on income from skill games to offset rising operating costs, including food, beverages and utilities.
“The price increase of everything from the product from the beverages to food. Electricity is a big one. We just got our electric bill and sky high,” Lee said.
Lee said revenue from the machines also played a major role in rebuilding the VFW after a fire forced the organization to close in April 2025.
Lawmakers in the Pennsylvania House and Senate have each introduced their own versions of legislation that would regulate skill games.
Before any proposal can become law, both chambers must approve the same version of a bill and send it to Gov. Josh Shapiro for consideration before the court’s deadline.