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The fallout of local organizations relying on skill games has begun. Games began to be removed by state police enforcement last week.
But now local organizations that no longer have them as revenue are trying to fill financial operational gaps.
Places queried by the Sun-Gazette such as Sons of Italy Lodge 2786, Garrett Cochran American Legion Post 1, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7863 in DuBoistown confirmed the machines are gone as officials at these locations complied with the law and state police warning.
"Yes, they are all removed," Sons of Italy said.
"Our games have been removed last week," the DuBoistown VFW said.
State police said that it has entered into agreements with six skill game operators or distributors that are "committed to complying to state law," but requested more time to do so. Those operators and distributors were not named but the agreements are for devices rendered inoperable.
Proactive steps are being taken to counter the loss of revenue locally.
"We are actively looking for ways to increase revenue through fundraising events, bingo, dinners, entertainment, and other activities that encourage community participation," those at Post 1 in Williamsport said.
"However, they said, these efforts require considerable time, volunteer support, and resources, and it is important to recognize that replacing the consistent revenue generated by skill games will not be easy.
The removal of skill games presents a significant financial challenge for the post.
Like many veterans' organizations across Pennsylvania, it has relied on this revenue to help offset the rising costs of maintaining and operating the facility.
"Our post is already facing substantial financial challenges due to increasing utility costs, insurance, building maintenance, and necessary repairs," they told the Sun-Gazette.
"The loss of another important revenue source places even greater pressure on our ability to remain financially stable," they said.
This post is more than just a social club.
The post home is a building that provides a gathering place for veterans, supports veterans' programs, and serves as a location for organizations working to assist veterans and their families.
Those at the post work alongside organizations such as the Lycoming County Veterans Center, Veterans Council, and Blue Star Mothers.
Losing American Legion Post 1 would mean losing much more than a building.
"It would mean losing a piece of our community's history and an important place of support for our veterans," they said.
A call for help
"We are committed to doing everything within our ability to keep our doors open," the post officials said, adding they can't do it alone.
"We need the continued support of our members, local businesses, elected officials, and the surrounding community."
Post officials said their hope is that state lawmakers recognize the serious financial consequences these decisions have on nonprofit veterans' organizations and work toward a reasonable solution that allows organizations like Post 1 to continue serving those who have served "our country."
Warnings of potential consequences are not new
Warnings on the removal of skill games are not coming out of the blue.
A state lawmaker warned years and days ahead of the removal of Pennsylvania Skills Games from bars, clubs and small businesses that began about the impact it would have economically across the state.
The Pennsylvania Taverns and Players Association held nearly 40 events around the state, including two rallies at the state Capitol where speakers urged lawmakers to take action and said the loss of skill game revenue would have consequences far beyond the establishments that had operated the games.
There's been no shortage of statements and letters from state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, who co-sponsored legislation that never made it to a vote before last Tuesday's deadline of the Supreme Court's 120-day stay passed without a regulatory framework on the games the high court deemed to be the equivalent of slot machines.
The games had to be removed by court-order and 47 days before Yaw stressed just how much this would impact American Legions, VFWs, fraternal clubs such as the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, fire halls with dedicated volunteer firefighters and first responders, and small businesses.
There are almost 1,000 veterans organizations and 500 fraternal and social organizations, Yaw said.
State police began enforcement action Wednesday with machines having to be removed -- not pulled from the plugs, but physically removed.
The positive impact of these games is more far-reaching than most realize, he remarked in a letter to the editor last November.
The games support the manufacturers who build them, the distributors who deliver them and the operators and technicians who service and maintain them.
The games help small businesses, veterans' organizations, social clubs, taverns and convenience stores "stay afloat," he said.
These are not phantom enterprises but those that employ thousands of state residents.
They are the bartenders, clerks, hosts, custodians and managers all of whom benefit from the revenue skill games generate.
In short, thousands of Pennsylvanians earn a paycheck thanks to this industry.
Yaw noted how opposition to a common sense approach to add a $500-per-game fee to generate an estimated $300 million a year in revenue, included nonsense arguments.
"Everything from kids will play them," to 47 days before this week," he said.
With the elimination of the skill games, between 30,000 and 40,000 people in Pennsylvania will be affected.
Some people are going to lose their jobs entirely, Yaw said. "Others will have a significant cut in their pay, or a benefit," he said.
Across-the-board cuts possible
"Everybody from truck drivers to waitresses, to chefs," Yaw said at a meeting at the American Legion Post 1 in Williamsport.
There have been several iterations of bills for regulating the games.
Almost four years ago, there was a bill keyed up to run and there was a letter that stopped it.
The state has lost about $1 billion, or $300 million a year, give or take, since not running the bill.
"My question all of the time is how much is enough?" Yaw said.
Already some American Legions and VFWs say they are at risk of closing. The American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert in Monroe County has already announced it will not hold its annual community Thanksgiving dinner because the funding for it came from skill games, according to a spokeswoman for TAP.
Revenue from skill games has helped these organizations maintain their facilities, assist veterans, contribute to food banks, sponsor youth programs and provide financial assistance to families in need.
"With the games set to become illegal in Pennsylvania this week, we are preparing to cut staff, end the company's 401(k) match," said Michael Somers, owner of Sam's Place in Schuylkill County.