HARRISBURG, PA / ACCESS Newswire / October 15, 2026 / The Pennsylvania Taverns and Players Association (PA TAP) expressed deep disappointment today that the General Assembly failed to enact commonsense legislation regulating and taxing skill games before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's deadline, leaving thousands of small businesses, veterans organizations, volunteer fire companies, emergency service organizations, and fraternal clubs facing hardship.
The expiration of the Supreme Court's 120-day stay means all skill games must be shut down as of October 14. The ban has created an immediate disruption for businesses and community organizations that have relied on the revenue for a decade.
Already, some American Legions and VFWs say they are at risk of closing. The American Legion Post 927 in Gilber, PA, has already announced it will not hold its annual community Thanksgiving dinner because the funding for it came from skill games.
Bill Hamilton, President of St. Gabriel's Lodge in Stowe, Berks County, which would turn 100 in two years, said they may not make it to that milestone. Members fear it may close without skill game financial support.
"For months, we've warned lawmakers about what would happen if they failed to act. Unfortunately, that day has arrived,' said Doug Sprankle, president of PA TAP. "People will suffer. They're the small business owners struggling to make payroll, the volunteer firefighters trying to purchase lifesaving equipment, and the veterans organizations that have spent decades serving their communities."
PA TAP held nearly 40 events around the state, including two rallies at the state Capitol where speakers urged lawmakers to take action and said the loss of skill game revenue would have consequences far beyond the establishments that had operated the games.
"Unfortunately, with legislators failing to act, or come to an agreement, our skill games have been taken away; we're no longer in a position to contribute the way we have in the past," said the owners of Chick's Hummelstown Tavern in Hummelstown on Facebook. Those machines helped our business tremendously and, just as importantly, allowed us to give back to so many people and organizations in our community. Losing them is going to hurt not only our business, but many other small businesses that rely on that extra income to support their communities."
For many small businesses, that revenue helped cover operating expenses, pay employees, provide benefits, and keep their doors open. Without it, owners now face difficult decisions about reducing staff, cutting hours, and potentially closing their businesses permanently.
"With the games set to become illegal in Pennsylvania this week, we are preparing to cut staff, end the company's 401(k) match," said Michael Somers, Owner of Sam's Place in Schuylkill County.
Veterans organizations, American Legion posts, VFWs and fraternal clubs face similar challenges. Revenue from skill games has helped these organizations maintain their facilities, assist veterans, contribute to food banks, sponsor youth programs, and provide financial assistance to families in need.
"In a matter of weeks, my Veterans of Foreign Wars post could be facing a decision none of us ever thought we would have to make: closing our doors," Rusty Miller with the Mechanicsburg VFW. "Not cutting back. Not shortening our hours. Closing." (Philadelphia Inquirer).
Some organizations are deeply concerned about how closures will impact the mental health of their members, one even saying he fears the worst.
"Without the income from the machines, we can't do anything," said Commander Ed Carter, VFW Post 418 in McKees Rocks, PA. "I'm not going to fight to stay open. I want to fight to help veterans. I want to save veterans from doing stupid things with their lives, like there are still 22 a day who take their own lives. I've lost a couple. I don't want to do it anymore." (CBS Pittsburgh)
Volunteer fire companies and emergency service organizations also face the loss of revenue used to purchase lifesaving equipment, maintain facilities and emergency vehicles, and reduce the constant burden of fundraising.
"This helps everything for payroll, keeps our lights on, keeps fire trucks equipped," said Scott Reitnauer, Eastern Berks Fire Department in Berks County. "Without the skill games, we're going to be in a lot of trouble."
Other fire departments have expressed that with inflation, covering the costs to keep communities safe is getting more and more difficult. Meanwhile, people may not understand exactly how expensive equipment is.
"I can't even put two men in full gear for $5000," said Michael Strouse, Assistant Fire Chief, Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Co. #1. "If I want to buy an Airpack, it's over $10,000. Just so we can put ourselves out there, at risk, and help people that don't understand it. These skill machines are awesome. It's about helping support the people that need it. Not us. Not the firemen. It's everyone around. It's the community. What we do for the community is priceless."
The consequences are already becoming apparent. In Lebanon County, the Perseverance Fire Company Social Club has reported that it stands to lose approximately $50,000 annually in skill game revenue. The organization has used its resources to assist local fire and emergency services, schools, youth sports programs, and veterans. (LebTown)
"These are already making decisions about which programs they can afford to continue, which donations they must eliminate and how they will pay their bills," Sprankle said. "When a volunteer fire company, veterans post or neighborhood business loses this revenue, the entire community feels it."
PA TAP said these examples demonstrate why lawmakers must continue working toward a legislative solution, even though the deadline has passed.
PA TAP emphasized that its members have consistently advocated for reasonable regulation and taxation of skill games, not an unregulated industry.
Bipartisan proposals have been introduced that would fairly regulate and tax the games while allowing qualifying establishments to continue benefiting from skill game revenue. However, lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement.
PA TAP is calling on legislative leaders to return to Harrisburg and work toward a solution that addresses the immediate financial consequences facing Pennsylvania communities.
"The answer is not to simply shut everything down and walk away," Sprankle said. "There is a way to regulate these games, generate significant revenue for Pennsylvania and protect the organizations that depend on them. That opportunity still exists, but lawmakers need to come together and finish the job."
About PA TAP
The Pennsylvania Taverns and Players Association (PA TAP) advocates for policies that protect and strengthen Pennsylvania's small businesses, fraternal clubs, volunteer fire companies, and veterans organizations. PA TAP works to promote the financial stability and long-term success of its members while preserving the important role they play in communities across the Commonwealth.
Contact Information
Jeanette Krebs
jk@krebs.solutions
SOURCE: Pennsylvania Taverns & Players Association (PA TAP)
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