Pennsylvania governor ready to add skill games taxes to budget

The governor of Pennsylvania proposes a $48.3 billion budget for the fiscal year 2024–25, which he plans to partially finance by legalizing and heavily taxing skill gaming machines.

Last year, judges in Pennsylvania determined that skill games—slot machines that resemble conventional casino slots in appearance and operation but differ in that they include skill components that can determine a player's outcome—are not prohibited forms of gambling. In his budget, the governor allowed for potential tax revenue from the gray machines, even though the state attorney general is appealing the case to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

 

[CasinoForum.io]

The governor of Pennsylvania proposes a $48.3 billion budget for the fiscal year 2024–25, which he plans to partially finance by legalizing and heavily taxing skill gaming machines.

Last year, judges in Pennsylvania determined that skill games—slot machines that resemble conventional casino slots in appearance and operation but differ in that they include skill components that can determine a player's outcome—are not prohibited forms of gambling. In his budget, the governor allowed for potential tax revenue from the gray machines, even though the state attorney general is appealing the case to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

It's interesting to see that the governor of Pennsylvania is exploring the option of legalizing and taxing skill gaming machines as a way to generate revenue for the budget. The decision by judges last year to deem these machines as not prohibited forms of gambling certainly opened up new possibilities for taxation.

However, it's important to note that the state attorney general is appealing the case to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. This means there's still some uncertainty surrounding the legality of these machines, and their potential taxation.

If the Supreme Court upholds the decision that skill gaming machines are legal, then the proposed tax revenue from these machines could have a significant impact on the budget. However, if the decision is reversed, the governor may need to consider alternative sources of revenue.

Overall, it will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds and how it will affect the fiscal year 2024-25 budget in Pennsylvania.