HARRISBURG – Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) highlighted the impact of legislative inaction on skill games, sharing concerns from businesses throughout the state that have lost a source of supplemental revenue used to support their operations and give back to their communities.
“Oct. 14 has come and gone, and the consequences of inaction on skill games are already being felt by small businesses, veterans’ organizations and the communities they support,” Yaw said. “The impact goes far beyond the bottom line. Losing this supplemental revenue means fewer dollars to support local fundraisers, families and charitable organizations.”
Yaw said the following illustrates how the loss of skill games revenue is impacting local businesses and their ability to give back to their communities:
“American Legion Post 1 has proudly served veterans and our community since 1919. As one of the earliest American Legion posts established in the United States, we have survived more than a century because generations of veterans, members and volunteers, and community supporters believed that places like ours were worth preserving. Today, organizations like ours are facing increasingly difficult financial challenges. The costs of maintaining an aging building, utilities, insurance, repairs, taxes, food, staffing, and day-to-day operations continue to rise. At the same time, nonprofit veterans’ organizations are expected to continue providing a place where veterans can find fellowship, assistance, resources, and a connection to their community.
Revenue generated through skill machines has become an important source of supplemental
income for many American Legion Posts, VFWs, social clubs, volunteer fire companies, and other community organizations throughout Pennsylvania. For organizations like American Legion Post 1, this revenue is not simply extra money. It helps keep our doors open. It helps us pay our bills, maintain our building, support programs and events, and continue providing a home for veterans and a gathering place for our community. When revenue like this disappears, it is extremely difficult for a nonprofit organization to simply replace it with another source.”
- American Legion Post 1, Williamsport
“No veteran or military child should be forgotten this Christmas. Every year, VFW Post 8430 works hard to give back to those who have sacrificed so much for our country. But this year, we’re facing a challenge. Much of the money generated from our Pennsylvania Skill Games has already been used to support our veterans, their families, and our community. With the uncertainty surrounding skill games in Pennsylvania, the funding we have relied on to support programs like this is at risk. That money doesn’t just sit in a bank account. It buys Christmas presents. It puts food on tables. It helps veterans in need. It supports our community.”
- VFW Post 8430, East McKeesport
“Lately, we’ve been receiving a lot of requests for donations, and we want to be upfront with everyone. Normally, we do our best to support as many fundraisers, local families and community causes as we possibly can. Giving back has always been a big part of who we are at Chicks. Unfortunately, with legislation failing to act or come to any agreement, our skill games have been taken away. We’re no longer in a position to contribute the way we have in the past. Those machines helped our business tremendously and, just as importantly, allowed us to give back to so many people and organizations in our community. Losing them is going to hurt not only our business, but many other small businesses that rely on that extra income to support their communities. We hate having to say no to people and causes we genuinely care about, but right now, we have to be realistic about what we can afford.”
- Chick’s Tavern, Hummelstown
“Sadly, stories like these will be repeated throughout Pennsylvania,” Yaw said. “I’ll keep fighting for a responsible path forward for this industry.”