An ordinance that bans skill games from operating anywhere within the Bensalem township in Pennsylvania is causing a stir. Certain machines at establishments with an active liquor license are the only exception to the ban.
The Bensalem Township Council voted unanimously to ban skill games within the township in October and the ordinance came into effect 10 days later. Letters went out giving affected businesses until December 6 to rid their establishments of these skill game machines.
Business owners express their opposition
Amarjeet Singh represented many Bensalem business owners recently as he addressed the council in a meeting. He presented a signed petition and asked the council to reconsider the decision to ban skill games. Several of the attendees at the meeting wore t-shirts saying ‘Skill Games = Jobs’. One of the biggest fears of the ban is job loss.
Pennsylvania Skill, a major skill-games manufacturer, accuses the Council of prioritizing Parx Casino, the largest casino in Pennsylvania. Parx’s online casinos are also very popular. The council denies this accusation. It cites issues with crime and public safety as the reason for the ordinance. Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo said that the use of skills games has been steadily growing in the county and several criminal incidents have been tied to the machines.
The petition
The petition delivered to the Township Council at the meeting had 200 signatures. Affected business owners say they were in the dark and didn’t have enough notice about what was happening. They didn’t have a proper say before the ordinance was passed. The skill machines are essential to their bottom lines. Once the money from them stops, they say it will be difficult for them to pay rent and employees. They want the ordinance rescinded.
PA Skill stands with business owners
PA Skill says the actions in Bensalem are unlawful. The ordinance was passed without getting any meaningful commentary from the public. There are successful entrepreneurs in Bensalem with small businesses that can’t do without the income from skills games. Nonprofits in the township rely on them too. They should have had a say before passing the ordinance.
PA Skill supports skill game regulation that will rid neighborhoods of illegal gambling machines without harming law-abiding businessmen. It says the ordinance imposes unnecessary and costly mandates at a time when businesses are already struggling to make ends meet.
What are skill-based games?
Understanding skill-based games requires knowing the difference between skill and luck. There are many different types of skill-based games. They are games where the outcomes rely predominantly on the talents, skills, and competencies of players rather than on luck.
Finding a clear demarcation between games of skill and games of chance can be challenging. Many times, games face scrutiny over the connection with gambling as players commit financially and win prizes. Some skill games fall into a ‘gray area’. Those who support skill game machines argue that they are legal, and PA Skills says that it will fully defend their legality.
Lawsuit seeking an injunction
In terms of the ordinance, establishments with skill game machines that do not have a liquor license could be fined up to $1,000. For every day they don’t comply, they will incur additional fees. This could result in serious consequences for them.
PA Skill has already filed a lawsuit challenging the ordinance. It will defend the legality of skills games in court. A hearing on their lawsuit is set for January. Bensalem Township Council is unable to comment on the issue because of the ongoing litigation against the ordinance.
