🎰 Slot Machine Reductions at Casinos
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Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course and Hollywood Casino at The Meadows were granted approval to reduce their slot machine count.
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Harrah’s Philadelphia and Mount Airy Casino also reduced slot machines.
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These reductions are in response to:
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The rise of unregulated skill games
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The COVID-19 pandemic’s long-term impact
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The growth of online gaming
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⚠️ Unregulated Skill Games & Their Impact
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Described as “gray machines”, these are slot-like games found in bars, convenience stores, VFWs, and even next to PA Lottery tickets.
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They’re often untaxed, unlicensed, and easily accessible, even to minors.
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Adrian King, representing Mountainview Thoroughbred Racing Association, emphasized:
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Skill machines draw players away from casinos.
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The state loses out on 52% tax revenue that applies to legal slot machine income.
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They undermine investments made by legal casino operators.
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📉 Economic & Regulatory Concerns
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Casino revenue declined by $200 million (2013–2018) in Illinois due to similar distributed gaming.
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Pennsylvania is seeing similar trends.
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PGCB Commissioner Sean Logan highlighted the visibility and unregulated presence of illegal slot parlors like 777 Casino in Berks County.
🏛️ Legislative Response
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Senator Gene Yaw and Representative Jeff Wheeland proposed legislation to:
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Regulate and tax skill games
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Help small businesses that use these machines for financial support.
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Yaw argues skill games are keeping small businesses afloat post-pandemic by helping them pay better wages and offer benefits.
🧩 Regulatory Complexity
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The distinction between legal, regulated machines and unregulated ones is murky, especially when placed near state lottery terminals.
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King and PGCB stress the need to keep slot gaming within heavily monitored casino environments.
Bottom Line:
Pennsylvania’s gaming industry is at a crossroads:
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Casinos are losing revenue and reducing machines.
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Unregulated skill games are flourishing, often untaxed and poorly
