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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 2, 2017 10:30 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jeff C. Wheeland |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Game of Skills |
| In the very near future, I intend to introduce legislation that will provide a Pilot Program to determine the most effective way to utilize the current skill-based amusement market. This market has been shown to effectively provide amusement to various areas of our communities to include taverns, restaurants, social clubs, veteran’s organizations, truck stops and other entities. I wish to give you advance notice of this legislation, and its intent, so that you can fully consider the opportunity for business growth, added jobs and increased sustained revenue for the Commonwealth and local governments. It is important to note that illegal video gaming is already taking place in the Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania State Police estimate, in their testimony, that they believe 40,000 thousand illegal machines are already in operation in Pennsylvania. This bill will provide an amnesty period to eliminate those untaxed and unregulated machines then make it a per se felony offense to be in possession or use of a machine not tied into the PA Gaming Control Board. The bill will also provide law enforcement with additional tools to help identify those devices that have not been approved by the Board and assist in the enforcement and seizure of the illegal devices. The skill-based amusement devices will be owned, operated, and maintained by Pennsylvania companies. Each licensed establishment will be permitted to have a maximum of six (6) terminals which would be licensed and regulated by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to assure absolute accountability. The bill also requires that any licensee, whether that is a manufacturer, distributor, supplier, or terminal operator, be subject to rigorous background checks. This legislation will also provide for a 5% Fair Share back to the counties to assist in their funding of local Fire, Rescue, Ambulance and other community based needs. Please join me in supporting this Skill Amusement Pilot Program in Pennsylvania, thereby growing businesses, creating jobs and increasing revenue for Pennsylvania. By supporting this legislation, you are supporting small businesses, the community and the Commonwealth. |