In Lebanon County, we pride ourselves on being practical. We expect our leaders to solve problems, not let them linger until they become unmanageable. That’s why the state’s ongoing failure to address skill games has become so frustrating for many small-town residents, business owners and leaders of nonprofit organizations.
For years, Harrisburg has debated whether to regulate and tax skill games, which can be found in neighborhood restaurants, bars, veteran posts, volunteer fire companies and fraternal clubs. Meanwhile, those of us outside the Capitol live with the consequences of indecision. The lack of clear rules has only fueled the spread of illegal gambling parlors opening in our communities. It has created confusion, uneven enforcement, and a broken system where responsible businesses pay the price.
Lebanon County isn’t Philadelphia, and it isn’t Las Vegas. We don’t have a casino, but we have plenty of places where the supplemental income from skill games is making a big difference. In some cases, it is the difference between a business or a VFW staying open or closing.
The problem is not that skill games exist. The problem is that the state has not regulated and taxed them – even though the industry has asked for both. This has been in limbo for too long.
Without a consistent and fair statewide framework for skill games, people’s trust in state government is undermined. They hear some lawmakers say they want to support skill games and propose a plan to help small businesses and other organizations, but then they draft punitive bills that do the opposite.
Even worse, the absence of regulation invites exactly the kind of behavior lawmakers claim to oppose. Unlicensed operators move in, storefront casino dens appear overnight, and local officials are forced to respond without clear guidance. That’s not a gaming policy; it’s a policy vacuum. Drawing a clear line between legal skill games and outright illegal gambling would allow law enforcement to stop illegal gambling operations that are posing as skill games.
I support legislation sponsored by Senators Gene Yaw and Anthony Williams (Senate Bill 1079) and companion legislation in the House sponsored by Representatives Danilo Burgos and Jonathan Fritz (House Bill 2046). The legislation not only establishes a fair regulatory framework and a $500 monthly tax on each gaming terminal but also generates immediate tax revenue for the Commonwealth’s budget.
It’s also important to understand that regulating skill games will not increase the number of machines in Pennsylvania. In fact, SB 1079 and HB 2046 specifically target and shut down illegal games that fuel criminal activity in our communities.
A reasonable fee structure, strict location limits, and meaningful enforcement against illegal machines would benefit everyone. Communities would regain control, reputable businesses would gain certainty, and the state would collect revenue that currently slips through the cracks.
Lebanon County doesn’t need more arguments. We need decisions. Leaving skill games in a void helps no one except those willing to operate outside the law. It’s time for the General Assembly to stop kicking the issue down the road and deliver a clear, balanced policy that reflects what Pennsylvanians want. Supporting SB 1079 and HB 2046 is the only responsible thing to do.
Bobbi Geesey, manager of the Navy Club of Lebanon
Dan Geesey, kitchen manager of the Navy Club of Lebanon
