HARRISBURG – Sens. Gene Yaw (R-23) and Anthony Williams (D-8) today introduced bipartisan legislation to regulate skill games in the commonwealth and crack down on illegal gaming and nuisance locations. The proposal builds on legislation introduced by Yaw for several sessions and incorporates language to prohibit skill games in “stop-and-go” stores, a long-time priority for Williams.
“There is broad recognition of the need to regulate skill games,” Yaw said. “This legislation delivers immediate revenue, supports small businesses and veterans’ organizations, and puts safeguards in place to protect our communities. Every concern raised by the public and by our colleagues in the legislature has been carefully considered and directly addressed in this bill. It’s time to move beyond the rhetoric and enact meaningful reform.”
Senate Bill 1079 replaces the originally proposed tax structure with a $500-per-skill-game-machine monthly fee, which the lawmakers say will generate revenue almost immediately. Revenue projections remain at approximately $300 million annually, and the new proposal allocates nearly half of the overall funding directly to public transportation and infrastructure costs, as well as to the state’s Clean Streams Fund.
The legislation will strengthen penalties for those who operate unlicensed and illegal games and gambling devices. It also includes a valid ID requirement to play, a limit on the number of machines per establishment and requires games to only exist as a secondary source of revenue for the establishment. The regulatory framework requires games to be connected to a terminal collection and control system that allows the commonwealth to monitor all transactions, much like it does with the lottery.
“Communities across Pennsylvania have been asking us to take action on unregulated skill games and nuisance locations,” Williams said. “This bill is about fairness, safety and responsibility. It ensures that revenue is directed where it can do the most good, like supporting public transportation and infrastructure, while also giving our neighborhoods relief from the problems caused by illegal games.”
Stop-and-gos are generally understood to be businesses with restaurant or eating place retail liquor licenses that operate as convenience stores or delis but fail to maintain minimum requirements for licensure. Pennsylvania’s Stop-and-Go Legislative Taskforce is responsible for addressing issues around stop-and-go establishments in Philadelphia and is comprised of members of the state House and Senate, an appointee of the governor and an ex-officio member of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
This legislation will support the taskforce’s efforts to address the broader concerns around nuisance establishments that operate outside the law. By cracking down on stop-and-go stores that serve as hubs for illegal gaming and other disruptive activity, the taskforce aims to restore safety, order and trust in local communities.
For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or Williams’ website at www.SenatorAnthonyHWilliams.com.
CONTACTS:
Elizabeth Weitzel (Yaw)
Sabrina Hall (Williams)