CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Dozens of business owners and nonprofit organizations rallied in Cambria County Wednesday evening to urge lawmakers to pass legislation related to the regulation and taxation of Skill Games.
The ongoing community rallies come as a looming October deadline approaches — if lawmakers don’t meet that deadline, the machines would be considered illegal throughout the commonwealth.
These Skill Game machines could be seized by state police in just weeks if state lawmakers do not come up with legislation by October 13th.
Restaurant owners and nonprofits are asking those lawmakers to take action as soon as possible.
At least one hundred people rallied Wednesday at the Cresson American Legion in Cambria County to urge lawmakers to pass legislation before the deadline.
Speakers at the event argued that Skill Games have become an important source of revenue for small businesses, veterans groups, volunteer fire companies and other nonprofits.
Supporters say that losing that source of revenue could have a major impact on services in the community.
“We contribute to the community in which we live, so it’s the veterans, it’s the girl scouts, it’s the ball teams, it’s the cancer society and if the Skill machines go away, there’s gonna be a real shortfall and I’m not sure how we’re gonna make that up; I think it’s just gonna be less contributions going out,” said Scott Eberhart, commander of the Cresson American Legion.
“It just gives that supplemental income that helps small businesses and clubs. And for it to go away, that doesn’t just hurt those businesses or clubs or military organizations, it hurts everybody in the community. It hurts local causes,” added Gary Sloan, owner of Our Station House Restaurant.
One manufacturer of Pennsylvania Skill Machines says that hundreds of jobs could be lost in the commonwealth.
“Our games are built by 170 employees. That’s how many families I’m fighting for.”
Legislators also spoke out about the looming deadline.
“Best case scenario, we move it six months, which gives us really the time we need to put a proper bill out that’s gonna address what needs to be regulated and how things are gonna be handled. Worst case scenario, I think, and I’m only speaking for myself, there’s a chance that we end up passing a bad bill. I would rather pass a bad bill and then go back and make amendments and correct it than to not pass a bill,” said Rep. Jim Rigby.
Supporters are backing Senate Bill 1079 — sponsored by senators Gene Yaw and Anthony Williams — along with companion House Bill 2213.
The proposal would regulate Skill games and require a $500 monthly fee for each terminal.
Backers say the plan would bring in an estimated $300 million in state tax revenue in its first year.
They also say it would allow community organizations to keep using the money they rely on.
What I do worry about is that the legislators will not act quickly and we’ll lose that and we’ll have to pull all the machines come October 13th or 14th, and then everybody loses because the state loses out on potential income, we lose that supplemental income, and the local charities and organizations also lose out.
Those supporters are asking residents to call their legislators to share your story if your business or community would be impacted.
Again, that deadline is October 13th but lawmakers say that they have requested a 6 month stay to give them more time to work on a solution.