Pennsylvania Skill, powered by Pace-O-Matic, congratulates PA Gaming Control Board and casino giants on surpassing 2023 revenue numbers
June 27 2024 - 9:50AM
Pace-O-Matic (POM), creator of Pennsylvania Skill games, commends
the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) which saw an
8.7% increase in gambling revenue in May 2024 over revenue in May
2023.
The funding comes from slot machines, table games, internet
gaming, sports wagering, fantasy contests and video gaming
terminals (VGTs). The May revenue total is $520,997,868.
As the PGCB celebrates yet another enormous financial win, small
businesses, veterans groups, volunteer fire companies and other
fraternal clubs across the state also are pleased with the income
they receive from operating legal skill games.
“The increased revenue for casinos and other gambling
enterprises under the jurisdiction of the PGCB is good for the
commonwealth,” said Mike Barley, spokesman for Pennsylvania Skill.
“These numbers show that there is room in the state for both
casinos and small businesses that operate skill games to be
successful. There is no competition between the two.”
Barley questions why casinos, especially Parx Casino, are
fighting skill games when they continue to see increased revenues
month after month and year after year. He added he is disappointed
the giant casino industry wants to destroy family businesses and
organizations that count on skill games for supplemental income by
seeking to impose a crushing tax rate on the games. Legislation to
regulate skill games calls for a 16% tax on skill games while
casinos say the tax should be 52%.
“Sadly, $521 million a month is not enough to satisfy the greedy
casino industry,” Barley added. “Instead, they want to kill small
businesses, American Legions, volunteer fire companies, Moose
Lodges and other places that count on income from skill games.
These locations could never afford to pay the same tax rate that
wealthy casinos pay. Casinos know that but they simply don’t care.”
Barley explained that POM supports legislation sponsored by Sen.
Gene Yaw and Rep. Danilo Burgos that will regulate and tax skill
games. There is bipartisan backing for the legislation that will
put guardrails around skill game operations and provide $250
million in skill game tax revenue for the state in the first year
alone. Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to see skill game tax revenue as
part of his 2024-25 state budget. But, Barley added, that revenue
is generated only through a reasonable tax on skill games.
Several courts have ruled Pennsylvania Skill games are legal,
including a unanimous Commonwealth Court in November. In addition
to providing supplemental income to small businesses, the games are
manufactured in Williamsport and 92% of the income they generate
stays within the local economy or the state.
Jeanette Krebs
Pennsylvania Skill
717-418-6106
jk@krebs.solutions