Organizations Across Pennsylvania Urge Lawmakers to Save Skill Games and Save Their Businesses and Organizations

Veterans Posts, Fire Departments, Fraternal Groups, and Small Businesses Will Face Closures, Layoffs, and Cuts to Community Programs Without Fair Legislation

HARRISBURG, PA / ACCESS Newswire / August 11, 2026 / Pennsylvania Taverns and Players Association (PA TAP) today called on the General Assembly to pass fair and reasonable skill game legislation before the October 13, 2026, court deadline, warning that thousands of organizations and small businesses across the Commonwealth depend on the revenue to survive.

Supporters are urging lawmakers to approve legislation that regulates Pennsylvania Skill Games and establishes a $500 monthly fee per terminal. They say the proposal would preserve a vital source of funding for veterans organizations, volunteer fire companies, fraternal clubs and small and family businesses while generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for the Commonwealth.

"August 14 marks the halfway point between the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's decision and the October deadline set to pass legislation for skill games," said Doug Sprankle, president of PA TAP, which supports small businesses and nonprofits across the state. "Every day that passes without legislative action creates more uncertainty for the thousands of businesses and organizations that rely on this revenue to keep their doors open and continue serving their communities."

Across Pennsylvania, organizations say skill games have become essential to paying everyday operating expenses, retaining employees, supporting charitable causes, and providing services that benefit their communities.

For some, losing that revenue would mean reducing donations and community programming. For others, it could mean eliminating jobs or closing permanently.

Moose Lodge 214 in Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, says it simply could not survive without the revenue.

"Should the revenue from skill games no longer be available to our organization, I would expect our organization to be out of business within six to 12 months because of salary, utility bills, product costs, repairs, and insurance costs," said Rich Dvorscak, administrator of the Moose Lodge.

At Haggerty's Bar & Dinor in Erie, the impact would extend beyond the business owner to employees.

"These skill games have been a godsend to my tavern," said Meghann Legler, owner of the establishment. "Eliminating them would not only affect my profits, but would also reduce tips for my staff because customers tip on their winnings. Bartenders would lose nearly 50 percent of their tip income."

For veterans organizations, the stakes are even higher.

Nase Kraft American Legion Post 255 in Sellersville, Bucks County credits skill games with keeping its doors open.

"Thank God for the skill machines," said a member of the post. "They have kept our veterans club operating. They are our lifeline. If the state removes the machines, we will no longer be able to operate and provide support for veterans. We can no longer survive on bar sales alone because of today's regulations. I would rather pay a fair tax to the state than lose them entirely. Please let us keep the skill machines. Many clubs will close, and many employees will be laid off."

The impact also reaches Pennsylvania family businesses that service and maintain the machines.

Tim Rulon, owner of Rulon Amusement Company, said his family's third-generation business was on the verge of collapse before adding Pennsylvania Skill Games in 2016.

"Our company had only $900 left in its checking account," Rulon said. "Employees had been laid off, debts were mounting, and it looked like three generations of hard work were about to disappear."

Then they added Pennsylvania Skill games to their business offerings.

"That decision saved our business," Rulon said. "Within six months we had stabilized the company. Today we provide retirement benefits and health insurance to our employees - something that never would have been possible without these games. Our workforce has increased by 400 percent."

Rulon said the benefits extended beyond his company.

"The establishments where our machines are located have seen increased customer traffic and additional revenue. These games didn't make us wealthy. They gave us stability. They preserved jobs. They kept a small Pennsylvania family business alive."

PA TAP said the debate over skill games is ultimately about protecting community institutions that serve Pennsylvanians every day.

"These organizations are more than businesses or clubs," PA TAP's Sprankle said. "They are veterans helping veterans, fraternal organizations supporting local charities, small businesses employing local residents, and gathering places that strengthen communities. Without fair and reasonable legislation, many of these organizations will be forced to make painful decisions that will affect the people who depend on them."

The organization urges lawmakers to act quickly to pass Senate Bill 1079, sponsored by Senators Gene Yaw and Anthony Williams, along with House Bill 2046, sponsored by Representatives Danilo Burgos and Jonathan Fritz. These bills establish a fair regulatory framework for skill games, including a reasonable $500 monthly tax per terminal. Just as important, they generate immediate revenue for the Commonwealth, estimated at $300 million annually.

"The solution is before the General Assembly," Sprankle said. "Now is the time to provide certainty for the organizations, employees and communities that rely on Pennsylvania Skill games every day."

CONTACT:

Jeanette Krebs
[email protected]

SOURCE: Pennsylvania Taverns & Players Association (PA TAP)