A Pennsylvania lawmaker is arguing that the state should lift the requirement that a truck stop must sell at least 50,000 gallons of diesel fuel a month to be allowed to host up to five gaming terminals.
Rep. Seth Grove on September 21 told fellow lawmakers on the House Gaming Oversight Committee that his proposed HB 2743 would rectify a wrong by allowing smaller truck stops to obtain VGT licenses.
His bill has the support of VGT suppliers and truck stop operators.
Grove told the committee, “The reality for a lot of these establishments is they are worried they would not hit the benchmark and be able to continue their license.” He added that many operators have seen sales fall as a result of higher gas prices.
Currently 66 VGT locations operate in Pennsylvania. They have generated nearly $80 million in tax revenue since they were introduced in 2019 after the passage of the Pennsylvania Gaming Act. Proponents of the change said that seven to nine more would meet the criteria if the fuel requirement was lifted.
One justification for the terminals was to give truckers a form of entertainment during the stops they have to take, which don’t take them near casinos.
