Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposal to regulate and tax Pennsylvania’s 70,000 skill games has won the backing of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, writes David Mowery for The Reading Eagle.
In his budget address, Shapiro highlighted the need for clear legal guidance on these machines, which have expanded across the state.
Berks County District Attorney John Adams, speaking on behalf of the association, welcomed the move, urging lawmakers to take action. “Now the General Assembly needs to take action and give law enforcement clear guidance on what is legal and what isn’t,” he said.
Shapiro’s plan would place skill games under the Gaming Control Board’s oversight and impose a 52% tax on gross terminal revenue. The revenue, estimated at $368.9 million, would help fill gaps in senior programs and support the state’s general fund. However, the tax rate has drawn criticism from Pace-O-Matic, the developer of Pennsylvania Skill games, which argues it would hurt small businesses and bars that rely on the games for income.
Pace-O-Matic supports regulation but advocates for a lower 16% tax rate, estimating it would generate $250 million in the first year. The company remains open to discussions with lawmakers.
With bipartisan interest in addressing skill game regulations, prosecutors and industry stakeholders are hopeful for legislative action in the coming months.
Read more about Shapiro’s proposal for skill game regulation in The Reading Eagle.
