Bensalem skill games companies and small business owners have spoken out against a recently passed gray machine ban, claiming that many jobs will be lost as a result of the decision. Supporters of skill games delivered a 200-signature petition laying out their arguments to the Bensalem Township Council on Monday evening.
Affected business owners and machine developers have called on officials to rescind an ordinance passed in October, which officially banned the contentious gaming devices. Owners say they were in the dark about the proposal, claiming that enough notice wasn’t given to the community ahead of the prohibition.
Under the ordinance, skill games are banned from operating anywhere within the township, except for a limited number of devices at establishments with an active liquor license. In response, Pennsylvania Skill, a major skill-games manufacturer, has accused the township of prioritizing Parx Casino, a claim that the township denies.
A lawsuit seeking an injunction against the ordinance has been filed by PA Skill, which says it will continue to support “common sense state-level legislation” to regulate the skill games industry. A hearing on their lawsuit, which argues Bensalem’s actions are unlawful, is set for January.
Amarjeet Singh, who represents business owners and presented the signed petition to the council, said: “People have a choice and they are trying to suppress their choice of where they want to try their skills.” Singh asked on Monday the council to reconsider the skill games ban, citing the fear that many owners and employees risk losing their jobs.
While small businesses claim the machines are essential to their bottom line, letters have already gone out to affected establishments, urging them to rid their properties of the machines by December 6. Officials claim the decision to ban these games is rooted in the crime associated with skill games, with Councilman Joe Pilieri arguing that one casino should be enough and that more gaming isn’t needed in the town.
While the Commonwealth Court ruled skill games as legal last December, the matter of legality rests in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. However, at the time being, a timeline is unclear for a final decision on skill games at the township or Supreme Court level.