Local clubs urge Harrisburg to regulate skill games before October deadline
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LOCK HAVEN -- Since being told in June it had to create legislation to regulate skill games within the Commonwealth, both the Pennsylvania House and Senate still have not agreed upon what the framework would look like.
Spotlight PA previously reported in June that lawmakers were waiting for a court ruling to act on the possible legislation with the court ruling that same month skill games are slot machines and subject to gambling laws.
In other words, the devices, which have long existed in a legal gray area, are now prohibited outside of casinos -- and police can confiscate them from the bars, restaurants and social clubs where they're often found, Spotlight PA reported.
Since the ruling, the court gave the legislature until October to come up with how to structure this new piece of the state's competitive gambling landscape.
Skill games are found throughout Clinton County and beyond in convenience stores, smoke/vape shops, bars, social clubs and more and have become a source of revenue for some of these establishments.
In the county, leaders of local social clubs like the Sons and Daughters of Italy and others are emphasizing this issue needs to be front and center in Harrisburg as the Oct. 13 deadline looms.
The Express spoke with Lock Haven Sons and Daughters of Italy Board President Dan Vilello, who said the club held a meeting with other fraternal organizations within the county to discuss a strategy moving forward.
Vilello said the meeting was held at the Sons and saw nine clubs and one bar owner attend.
"These organizations have over 6,000 members and contribute back to the community between $400,000 to $500,000 each and every year," he said.
With the debate on how to properly regulate skill games part of the deadlock in Harrisburg, Vilello said the local organizations feel a fee per-skill machine, $500 each, would be a fair way to provide the additional revenue the state is looking at.
"It is my understanding that the casino industry wants 52 percent of the income generated taxed. That is the same tax they are required to pay," Vilello said.
However, he pointed to the fact the casino industry in the Commonwealth made just under $7 billion in 2025.
"An all time high, and that goes right into their pockets, while our local clubs are just struggling to survive," he said. "If they are taxed at that rate it would not allow us to do what we do best, giving back to the many nonprofits in Clinton County, all the little league teams, the fire companies, United Way, Infant Development and Veterans organizations, The Clinton County Historical Society, the Clinton County Libraries, Millbrook Playhouse and many local churches."
Vilello added that revenue collected from these skill games also helps pay utilities, cover payroll, taxes and other operating costs for many local clubs.
He pointed to the Sons and Daughters of Italy's recent purchase of the former Hand and Hand Fire Company building adjacent to its own club. He said the Sons intends to expand into the facility, placing it back onto the tax roll and providing additional revenue to Lock Haven and the Keystone Central School District.
"The Sons of Italy would not be able to do that without skill game revenue," he said.
Vilello said he and officers from other local clubs recently met with State Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton/Union) to explain their position. They further asked her to support sponsoring House Bill 2213.
This bill was introduced by State Rep. Danilo Burgos (D-179) and is cosponsored by Reps. Eddie Pashinski (D-121), Carol Hill Evans (D-95), Joe Hamm (R-84), Nikki Rivera (D-96), Chris Pielli (D-156), Steven Malagari (D-53), Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D-129) and Greg Scott (D-54).
The bill would impose duties on the Department of Revenue regarding skill video gaming along with providing for the issuance of licenses, imposing a fee and criminal and civil penalties and providing for zoning.
As of Feb. 11, 2026, the bill was referred to the House Gaming Oversight Committee and has not moved.
Vilello said Borowicz was "uncommitted as this time but does not believe in raising taxes of any type."
Vilello compared the proposal to the Impact Fee under Act 13 imposed on the Marcellus Shale industry in 2012.
"Clinton County has received $5.3 million dollars from 2012 to 2025 from that fee," he said.
Vilello noted the gas industry was in favor of the fee, similar to how social clubs are in favor of the fee per-skill game machine.
"That revenue from skill games will never match those numbers. But my point is that money will stay local and when we are able to hand out $400,000 in support to local charities means a lot, and they don't have to go hat in hand to Harrisburg asking for money only to be turned down," Vilello said. "How often does a group actually ask for a fee on their equipment and are willing to pay it?"
Vilello encourages those who may agree with the social clubs' stance to consider contacting State Senator Cris Dush's office at 814-646-7272 or Borowicz's office at 570-748-5480, in support of both House Bill 2213 and Senate Bill 1079.