Bensalem Township has enacted a new law banning skill gaming machines at businesses without active Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) licenses.
The ordinance, passed on October 27, 2024, targets the growing prevalence of these devices in Bucks County and aims to address public safety concerns.
Township officials estimate that roughly 170 skill games are currently operating in Bensalem Township, often found in convenience stores, smoke shops, and gas stations.
Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo and Public Safety Director William McVey cited an increase in criminal incidents tied to the machines, which they described as unregulated and unmonitored.
The Bensalem new law is designed to curb these issues while allowing licensed establishments to continue hosting the machines under strict conditions.
Businesses with liquor licenses must restrict access to gaming areas, ensure constant employee monitoring, and maintain video surveillance to prevent minors from using the machines. Violators could face fines of up to $1,000 per day for non-compliance.
Local business owners, however, are opposing the measure. A group of proprietors presented a petition with over 200 signatures at a council meeting, urging officials to reconsider the ordinance.
Many argue that skill games Bucks County operations are crucial for attracting customers and sustaining their operations.
Yug Patel, a smoke shop owner in Bucks County, emphasized their importance, saying, “They’ve been helping me pay my rent and grow my business.”
Despite the pushback, Bensalem Township officials are standing firm, citing public safety as their primary concern.
The ordinance has already prompted legal action, with lawsuits filed by skill game operators and business owners challenging the ban.
Officials have refrained from further comment due to the ongoing litigation.
Critics have also pointed out a lack of transparency in how the new Bensalem law was introduced.
Skill game operator Sonny Chopra claimed the process excluded public engagement, a sentiment echoed by Councilman Joe Pilieri, who admitted that a community meeting “would’ve been good.”
With enforcement set to begin on December 6, businesses in Bensalem Township face an uncertain future.
The conflict over skill games is expected to escalate into a legal battle, with a hearing scheduled for January.
Business owners fear the potential economic impact, while township officials remain resolute in their efforts to enhance safety and regulate gambling in Bucks County.
