Pennsylvania State Representative Russ Diamond has introduced House Bills 2801 and 2802 to regulate skill games, ahead of an October 13 deadline set by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to remove unregulated skill games from businesses. As the Republican chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee, Diamond believes these bills will modernize the state’s gaming laws by providing a clear regulatory framework for skill games.
The proposed legislation would allow skill games to operate under regulation and taxation at a rate of 20%, limiting the number of machines to five in certain establishments, such as clubs and liquor-licensed restaurants. Additionally, it aims to lower the tax rate on casino-based slot machines to 49.9%, aligning it with online casino games.
Moreover, the bills are designed to deliver property tax relief to approximately 2.87 million qualified homeowners in Pennsylvania, with an annual gaming dividend payment expected to reach at least $702 per homeowner. Residents currently receiving homestead or farmstead relief may see this amount increase by $459 to $602, depending on their school district, benefiting 96% of homeowners in the state.
Diamond highlighted the importance of clubs and licensed establishments in Pennsylvania and expressed his commitment to maximizing property tax relief for constituents who have long awaited promised benefits.
