A Recap of 2019's Political Updates

A Recap of 2019's Political Updates

Transparency is important to our organization. That is why you can to receive a breakdown of the legislators and campaign organizations we have donated to so far. We have supported legislators from both parties and we are going to be supporting many more this fall.
We want to thank you for making donations to the Operators of Skill PAC, which we are utilizing to back lawmakers who support Pennsylvania Skill and your small business and customers.
 
It is important to have you and your customer base reach out to your local State Senators and Representatives and let them know how much you enjoy having Pennsylvania Skill as a part of your business. It is important for them to understand the positive impact the game has had on your livelihood and the many benefits it brings with its continued use.
Please ensure that each month or quarter, you donate to our Operators for Skill Political Action Committee (OFS PAC), so that we can continue our work to educate and support those legislators that support our cause.
Please make personal checks payable to: OFS PAC, P.O. Box 343, Harrisburg, PA 17108.
*Corporate contributions are prohibited by Pennsylvania law.
 
October 2019
The Pennsylvania State Legislature is back in for their Fall Session. The Pennsylvania Skill Government Affairs Team, made up of top Republican and Democratic lobbyists, continues to work to support our legal Pace-O-Matic Pennsylvania Skill amusement devices. We have already met with dozens of lawmakers in the State Senate and House, Republican and Democratic, to discuss the positive influence our devices are having on Pennsylvania businesses, VFWs, American Legions, fraternal clubs, and local communities. We are meeting with legislators and staff on legislation to cement our devices' legal position.
 
September 2019
The Pennsylvania Skill Government Affairs Team continues to work to support our legal Pace-O-Matic Pennsylvania Skill amusement devices. We are continuously meeting and speaking with state legislators to discuss the positive influence our devices are having on Pennsylvania businesses, VFWs, American Legions, fraternal clubs and local communities. We are meeting with legislators and staff on legislation to cement our devices' legal position.
 
August 2019
Over this past month, the Pace-O-Matic Pennsylvania Skill team and hit the road as part of our continued effort to shine a light on bad actors who are operating illegal gambling devices across the Commonwealth. We have also taken legal action, bringing nuisance lawsuits against each one of the establishments we visited below.
One of the businesses we highlighted was 3C Amusements in Johnstown. This owner is operating gambling devices at all three of his locations. Additionally, he is even advertising his businesses as “casinos.”
"Local company operates illegal gambling devices," by the Johnstown Tribune Democrat.
 
July 2019
In Harrisburg, the state budget has come to a close and the legislature is breaking for the summer. As you know, some legislators continue efforts to ban skill games. This effort is mostly directed at the illegal skill gaming market but may also adversely affect our business. We have been working to support our legal Pace-O-Matic Pennsylvania Skill amusement devices.
When we are out in force and mobilized, we have been effective in making our case. I want to thank so many of you for attending the House Republican Gaming and Oversight Hearing on June 10. We had nearly 200 operators, locations, and supporters of Pace-O-Matic's Pennsylvania Skill amusement devices. The fact that so many of you attended this hearing made a HUGE impact. Your attendance, coupled with our continued outreach to legislators, is helping us tell the success story of Pace-O-Matic's Pennsylvania Skill amusement devices. Together, we have ensured that legislation to BAN Pace-O-Matic's Pennsylvania Skill devices has not passed... for now.
With that being said, our opponents are still working as hard as they can to put our industry in jeopardy and lose the jobs and profits that come along with our activity. As you have seen, the PLCB and Lottery have sent out false letters and harassed our customers. We are considering our legal options to stop this activity.
It has never been more important to build the support of our “Pennsylvania Skill” Operators, Locations, and Customers. Pace-O-Matic and Miele Manufacturing are committed to doing everything in our power to continue to provide legal skill games to all of our customers. We are also working closely with legislators from the PA House and Senate to find a regulatory path that ensures we will continue to be business partners with the Commonwealth for years to come.
It is very important to have you and your customer base reach out to your local State Senators and Representatives and let them know how much you enjoy having Pennsylvania Skill as a part of your business. It is important for them to understand the positive impact the game has had on your livelihood and the many benefits it brings with its continued use.
 
June 2019
In Harrisburg, some legislators continue efforts to ban skill games. This effort is mostly directed at the illegal skill gaming market but may also adversely affect our business.
 
May/April 2019
There is an increase in attention on skill games in Harrisburg! Co-Sponsor Memos and Bills in both the House and the Senate have been brought up over the past two months that would remove skill games from the market. This is mostly directed at the illegal skill gaming market but may also adversely affect our business.​
 
March 2019
Tips for writing an effective letter or email to your local state legislator:
  1. Write to the State Senator or State House member who represents your district.
  2. Explain who you are. Include your full name and address to lend credibility to your letter.
  3. Describe your business and how PA Skill games have helped you to grow and prosper.
  4. Provide specific information. You might mention the number of jobs that PA Skill games have created at your business or how they've saved a struggling location from closing its doors.
February/January 2019
The current state of affairs in Harrisburg includes numerous Gaming related discussions regarding Mini-Casinos, Sports Wagering, VGTs at Truck Stops, I-Lottery games and the casino-backed lawsuit against the Pennsylvania Lottery. Very little has been discussed about Skill-Gaming other than a few articles of concern by the media and some talk about having the market fall into a regulatory scheme. At this point, most of it is only talk. We continue to monitor various industries and agencies that may affect our business and we also remain in close communication with our lobbying team.
Back to blog