Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that skills game machines devices found in bars, restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, social clubs, and other businesses are illegal gambling devices under the state’s Gaming Control Act and Crimes Code.

Lets look at this, the argument for Clubs . They wont be able to donate as much anymore, good argument I guess but lets go back seven years and look at donations according to PA small games 2G reports ( Public Knowledge) . You would see in fact that they donated more then without skill machines. Profits from skill machines are not subject by SGOC law to be donated. Skills are considered a vending machine just like a jukebox or pool table. Rip tickets or Tip Jar proceeds ,50/50 , bingo proceeds are funds used for donations to the community.

As a former President and Treasurer of an organization I can attest that my organization had more funds in our bank accounts before Skills came along and donated very substantially to public interests. After Skills, Rip ticket profits plummeted 40% or more. Of course they need to be regulated on just about every level possible. Do they need to be right inside the door of every establishment for everyone to walk by? A compulsive problem gambler recovering from this addiction would differ. Why do we need to explain to our children when they see these bright lights and noisy machines that they are for grownups? We tell little Johnny we are here to get food and supplies for our home not to throw hard earned money away, right? A family stands in a food pantry for free food as their parents gambled much needed money into these machines. Crime has escalated in establishments , breaking entering, smash and grab some winners accosted in the street after they cash in. Establishments that dedicate a secure room for play are on the right track, age requirements and added security measures to insure the safety of players.

If Skills are going to be classified as a slot machine we should see regulations pertaining to separating the machines in an area away from regular traffic as not to entice a person that has issues with gambling or safety of their family. Just putting random machines inside a laundromat or convenience store for all to hang out and in most cases underage to play. We all have seen this wherever we go , children set alongside an adult and watch Mommy and Daddy put this weeks grocery money into these or in some cases make them sit in the car.

Veterans organizations and clubs survived well before skills, they can survive very easily now. Clubs are for paying members but when a club is open to the public 80% of the time you are not only giving a reason not to become a member, but losing the member who comes to your club to relax, watch a game or just bring in their family because they feel this is their club. Organized groups of Skills players fan out into all areas to check machines for that jackpot they do not have any care in the world what your organization stands for or why you exist. A veteran member that may have PTSD doesn’t want to be in a chaotic loud noise machine environment, they have went through enough serving our Country. They are there because of the comradeship knowing when they walk in the door they feel safe with their brothers and sisters at arms. Lets respect them and make these environments as they should be. Of course with new regulations all is about taxes and where and what will this be used for, be a part of that and voice your concerns to your local representatives, they work for you right!

JEFF HAMILTON

Montoursville

Submitted by email