PAGE Demands Stricter Controls On Skill Games
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The skill games saga continues as the group Pennsylvanians Against Gaming Expansion (PAGE) has called for stricter controls following an analysis by the Pennsylvania Lottery, which claimed an estimated loss of $650 million in lottery scratch sales in favor of the as-yet unregulated games.
Skill games are not yet classified as a gambling activity, which many claim has led to a case of two weights and two measures, resulting in PA online casinos operating at a legal disadvantage.
Skill Games ‘Stealing’ Funds From Older Pennsylvanians
In a strongly worded opinion piece on the PAGE website, group spokesperson Pete Shelly claimed that the loss of funds was directly “draining revenue from programs for seniors that the Pennsylvania Lottery funds,” adding:
“These machines do not generate a penny in gaming taxes. They also are bringing crime to communities across the state.”
In the statement, Shelly urged lawmakers to act on the findings of the report and the impact skill games were having, specifically calling upon House Bills that would regulate the issue to be formalized while pointing out that “leading law enforcement agencies have said repeatedly [skill games] are illegal”.
Call Continues To Build On Taxation and Banning Controversies
The issue has dominated headlines in the Keystone State after PA Governor Josh Shapiro proposed a 42% tax on skill games. Another bill that proposes a 16% tax has moved to the Gaming Oversight Committee.
Meanwhile, the vote on a skill games entertainment centre in Phoenixville was postponed for the next Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board meeting. It would seem as though the controversy won’t be put to bed anytime soon.
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