A State lawmaker in Harrisburg is proposing new regulations for skills games in the commonwealth after the State Supreme Court ruled they were the same as slot machines, earlier this year.
If the games are not regulated, they will be eliminated.
Lebanon County Republican Russ Diamond says the games would be regulated and taxed at a rate of up to 20 percent, while also reducing the current state tax on slot machines to 49.9 percent.
The court has given lawmakers until October 13 to regulate the games.
Up to five machines will be permitted in clubs, bars and restaurants and truck stops. Some businesses have said skill games are an important part of their income.
And, he's calling for revenue from all forms of gambling--not just slots--to fund property tax relief.
“96 percent of Pennsylvanians and most home owners in Allegheny County will be seeing an increase in that property tax relief amount as a result of my bill,” said Rep. Diamond.
He says they'd get that relief in the form of a direct payment to them from the state, instead of having to use the homestead exclusion at tax time.
“Pennsylvania’s gaming law was originally written for a much different era,” said Diamond. “It’s time to modernize our approach, bring skill games into a regulated system ahead of the state Supreme Court’s October 13th deadline, and make sure Pennsylvania homeowners see a greater benefit from the revenue generated by gaming.”
