Pennsylvania's Skill Games: A Hidden Cost to the Community
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently tackled a big question: Are skill games just a fun pastime or a form of gambling?
These machines, found in places like gas stations and pizza parlors, have sparked a heated debate.
The Gambling Resemblance
The justices pointed out that players:
- Put money in
- Spin the wheels
- Hope to win
Sounds familiar, right? That's because it's a lot like gambling.
The Regulation Problem
Skill games don't follow the same rules as casinos. Casinos have:
- Strict security
- Background checks
- Fair play standards
But skill games? They're not regulated. They don't have to follow safety measures.
POM's Negligence
POM, one of the main companies behind these machines, has shown they don't care much about public safety. In a court case, their top official said a murder at a store with skill games wasn't their concern.
The Financial Impact
POM has:
- 20,000 machines in Pennsylvania
- Made around $525 million last year
If they paid the same taxes as casinos, the state could have collected $283.5 million. That's almost enough to fund Governor Shapiro's proposed transit funding increase.
The Bigger Picture
POM isn't just avoiding regulation; they're also blocking potential funding for important services.
The Scale of the Problem
There are about 70,000 skill game machines in the state, and law enforcement says they attract crime.
The Urgent Question
The question now is: Can Pennsylvania afford to wait any longer to address this issue?
