Bensalem Township with Parx Casino sitting in its backyard voted to ban skill games at its Monday night council meeting.
Citing “several criminal incidents” prompted township officials to confer with Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn regarding this growing problem, officials said.
Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo and Public Safety Director William McVey have been monitoring the number of skill games, installed in convenience stores, smoke shops, gas stations, delicatessens, and other establishments throughout the township.
The number of these unregulated and unmonitored gaming devices has grown significantly over the past few years. Currently, the township estimates the number of the devices to be at a staggering number of roughly 170 and their concerns regard the impact these machines are having on the health, safety, and welfare of Bensalem and its neighboring communities; especially on the children and teenagers residing within the township.
The newly adopted changes to the township’s laws and regulations prohibit Logal Gaming Devices (skill game machines) anywhere in the township except for those locations holding an active Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board liquor license. Locations holding such liquor licenses will be required to segregate the Local Gaming Devices within their establishments to a local Gaming Area that can be monitored by employees and surveillance video that cannot be accessed by minors, said Bensalem officials in press release.
Non compliance with the new laws and regulations, including a fine of up to $1000 plus costs for each day that an establishment does not comply, as well as the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order and the revocation of the Use and Occupancy Permit by the township if a property owner or operator fails to remove the skill games after receiving an order to do so.
Regulating skill games at the state level has stalled which have left municipalities in a precarious position seeking answers to public safety issues that have popped up since the gaming machines spread like wildfire throughout Lower Bucks County in the last three years.
The skill game industry has fought efforts to be regulated and taxed. Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, threw his weight behind regulating the games in his budget proposal as a way to boost state revenue. His administration projected that legalizing and taxing the machines’ revenues at 42% would bring in $150 million this coming fiscal year, and the amount would double in the future. Lawmakers are now caught between the powerful skill games and casino interests, which have spent millions of dollars on lobbying and campaign contributions over the years for each to exist as legal money making industries, according to a Spotlight PA report.
Regulating skill games is also working its way through the state courts with the state Supreme Court agreeing to review a lower court decision that allowed the games to remain in the state. Philadelphia citing the same public safety concerns ban the games unless they possess casino or liquor license and an area for at least 30 patrons to eat or drink.
“DiGirolamo, McVey, and the members of council are dedicated to protecting and promoting the health, safety, and well-being of our community’s residents and visitors, especially our children and youth. Township officials appreciate the District Attorney’s willingness to assist us in this important initiative.”
Bensalem officials said for a deeper dive on the skill game banning you can watch “The Mayors Show” that is dedicated to the topic.
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