A Pennsylvania House committee has heard testimony on whether to ban “skill” games, which play like slot machines but players can manipulate patterns of symbols.
A bill has been proposed to ban the games.
“We’re trying to shut it down, not regulate it. If they want it to be regulated, they would have to come in and talk about that,” state Senator Robert Tomlinson, who introduced the bill, said.
The machines have been turning up in convenience stores, gas stations, and malls. A large number of skill games are also found in bars and establishments with liquor licenses.
Supporters say the games require skill to win and are not gambling.
However, representatives of the Pennsylvania Lottery told the committee that they estimate the games have cost the lottery an estimated $138 million in sales that would have benefited Pennsylvania seniors.
Committee members did not vote on the bill and said they will schedule further discussions.
The bill calls for a fine of at least $5,000 per violation upon conviction. Second offenses also draw a first-degree misdemeanor, though the fine would increase to at least $10,000 per convicted violation. More violations would carry a third-degree felony along with a fine of at least $15,000 per conviction.
