Big changes could be in store for skill games in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania state Rep. Ben Waxman (D-Philadelphia) has filed the Skill Game Consumer Protection Act. The legislation, House Bill 2557, seeks to put regulatory oversight on the estimated 80,000 unregulated gaming machines currently operating across the commonwealth.
No matter your opinion on legalizing skill games in PA, we should all agree that there needs to be protections for players, children, and communities. The Skill Game Consumer Protection Act establishes a comprehensive set of protections and oversight mechanisms should we decide to legalize these games,” Waxman said.
Waxman and the 10 Democratic cosponsors of HB2557 are proposing considerable regulations to rein in the gray market, which courts have ruled blur the lines of gambling and skill. The Skill Game Consumer Protection would greatly scale back where the terminals can operate and limit who can play them.
Locations Restricted
Waxman thinks local governments should be able to dictate whether skill games are allowed. The legislation says municipalities would be able to pass local ordinances and resolutions to prohibit the devices from operating within their jurisdiction or limit how many games are allowed.
"Communities deserve a say in how these games show up in our neighborhoods. We need to do the right thing to protect our kids and neighbors,” Waxman said.
- https://www.casino.org/news/pa-skill-games-face-gas-station-and-convenience-store-ban/