Williamsport, Pa. – With the state‑wide deadline to eliminate unlicensed skill‑game machines fast approaching, the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce is sounding the alarm for local businesses, nonprofit clubs and a Muncy‑based manufacturer that builds the devices.
State deadline and legal backdrop
On June 15, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that skill‑game machines – commonly found in taverns, restaurants, social clubs, mini‑marts and gas stations – are legally “slot machines” under the Gaming Act. The court granted a 120‑day stay, giving the General Assembly time to craft a licensing, taxation and regulatory framework. That stay expires on Oct. 13, after which the Pennsylvania State Police will consider any remaining machines unlawful and may seize them as of Oct. 14.
Police have emphasized that simply powering off or unplugging a machine does not satisfy the law; the devices must be removed.
Lawmakers’ request withdrawn
Four state lawmakers – Sen. Gene Yaw (R‑Lycoming), Sen. Anthony H. Williams (D‑Philadelphia), Rep. Danilo Burgos (D‑Philadelphia) and Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R‑Wayne) – filed an emergency application asking the Supreme Court to extend the “safe harbor” deadline to Feb. 10, 2027. Their proposal includes a $500 monthly licensing fee per machine and a minimum player age of 21, with revenue earmarked for roads, bridges, public transit, fire and EMS services, and a small administrative portion.
After filing the request on Tuesday night, the lawmakers withdrew it the next morning, leaving the Oct. 13 deadline intact.
Chamber’s concerns for local jobs
“The inability for Harrisburg to address this is shameful,” said Jason Fink, president and CEO of the chamber. He highlighted Miele Manufacturing, a Muncy‑based company that produces skill‑game machines and employs nearly 100 workers at its local plant. Fink noted that the broader Miele Group employs 161 people at wages “well above the minimum wage” and offers a generous benefits package.
Fink’s June 22 letter to legislators detailed the prevalence of the machines in Lycoming County: 44 bars and restaurants, 22 private clubs, 17 smoke shops, six convenience stores and 23 other businesses – a total of 112 locations. He argued that revenue from these small establishments is essential to their viability.
Economic impact and tax considerations
The chamber stressed that its criticism is directed at the legislature as a whole, not at local representatives such as Sen. Yaw and Rep. Joe Hamm, who have worked across party lines on a solution. Fink also clarified that the skill‑game industry is not opposed to taxation; it simply seeks a rate that is sustainable for smaller operators, unlike the casino industry where a few large entities dominate.
The Independent Fiscal Office estimates that a regulated skill‑game market could generate more than $1 billion annually for Pennsylvania, underscoring the fiscal stakes for the state.
Local philanthropy
Beyond jobs, Miele Manufacturing has contributed to the community, including a 2025 donation of over $1 million to the YWCA Northcentral PA to support a Williamsport shelter for women and children escaping domestic violence.
As the Oct. 13 deadline approaches, the chamber urges lawmakers to act swiftly to create a fair licensing framework that protects local businesses, preserves family‑supporting jobs and secures a new revenue stream for Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and public services.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
