Phoenixville Vote On PA Skill Games Entertainment Center Postponed

Following news of a possible 42% tax on skill games, the Phoenixville Council has pushed back a vote to determine whether a new skills games entertainment center should be given the green light.

The decision was originally meant to be taken on February 13; however, the meeting was adjourned after applicant Rocket Amusement requested more time to be able to prepare its case better.

The games company had previously been granted a conditional use permit, which was meant to be finalized during this month’s council meeting. The permit has now been left pending until March 12. Phoenixville usually holds council meetings every second Tuesday of the month, so the matter can be expected to be resolved then.

Pennsylvania Not the Only State to Favor Skill Games Tax

In the meantime, the stance taken by Governor Josh Shapiro is not isolated, with other states across the US having already implemented taxation of skill games. Nebraska, which had already introduced the tax, last week advanced a bill to increase this taxation following a sharp increase of 60% of such machines across the state. 

The Nebraska Examiner reported that lawmakers are currently in discussions with the operators of these games to reach a compromise, after the latter claimed a taxation increase could put them out of business. The tax proposal has likewise created controversy within the Pennsylvania gambling community, with many operators arguing that skill games should be more heavily regulated, as are other games at PA online casinos.