Bensalem Township in Pennsylvania has been at the center of a heated debate regarding skill games. On Monday evening, supporters of skill games presented a 200-signature petition to the Bensalem Township Council, urging them to repeal an ordinance passed in October that banned skill games. This move has significant implications for local businesses and the community.Impact on Businesses and Jobs
Amarjeet Singh, a concerned individual, emphasized the potential job losses that could occur due to the ban. Affected business owners like Sonny Chopra expressed their confusion as they were unaware of the proposal. "The way it was passed, no offense, but nobody knew what was going on," Chopra said. Yug Patel, the owner of Smoke Studio, further highlighted the importance of these machines to his business's bottom line. "Once my money stops from those machines, it's gonna be tough for me to pay my rent, get new customers to buy products, and also pay my employees," Patel said.
Ordinance Details and Exceptions
The ordinance strictly prohibits skill games from operating anywhere within the township. However, there is an exception for a limited number of machines at establishments with an active liquor license. This distinction has raised questions about the fairness and practicality of the regulation. PA Skill has accused the township of favoring Parx Casino, a claim that the township denies, citing concerns about crime and public safety instead.
Lawsuit and Future Outlook
There is now a lawsuit seeking an injunction against the ordinance, with a hearing set for January. PA Skill continues to support common-sense state-level legislation to regulate their industry and believes that Bensalem's actions are unlawful. In their statement, they emphasized the lack of transparency in the ordinance's passage and the negative impact it could have on small family-owned businesses and fraternal clubs. "This dangerous ordinance stands to harm small businesses and nonprofits that rely on income from legal skill games. It imposes unnecessary mandates at a time when they are already struggling," the statement read.The organization is committed to defending the legality of their games in court and hopes that Bensalem Supervisors will listen to the concerns of the constituents and rescind the ordinance as soon as possible. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the township will address the issues raised by both sides.
