A Skill Game Developer Takes Legal Action Against the Philadelphia Ban
617
In spite of the wishes of the state, Philadelphia is imbuing PA skill games with its own identity. The Philadelphia City Council voted in favor of a bill that would outlaw skill machines inside of city-bound convenience shops and petrol stations. The manufacturer of skill games, Pace-O-Matic (POM), located in Georgia, stated that it has chosen to file a lawsuit against the city of Philadelphia.
Businesses in Philadelphia who want to provide skill games must abide by a set of regulations. The city is making an effort to shield patrons and shop owners from aggression.
POM is Suing Philadelphia for Prohibiting Skill Games in Pennsylvania
Skills games and other gaming devices are no longer permitted at Philadelphia convenience shops or petrol stations. A measure that Councilman Curtis Jones had filed in January was adopted by a unanimous vote.
POM said that it has already acted quickly and is aware of the new law. Mike Barley, a spokesperson for POM, said that the company was compelled to sue the city in order to defend the rights of diligent Philadelphia business owners since the City Council approved the legislation. The business filed a complaint in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. The basis of the complaint is that the state and federal constitutions would be violated by the ordinance in several ways.
For many years, gambling machines have been widely distributed across the state. Although the Commonwealth Court declared skill games to be lawful in December of last year, many machines do not meet Pennsylvania’s skill requirements, making them unlawful. According to Barley, the business is concerned about the well-being of the city and concurs with council members that there is an issue with the proliferation of illicit gaming machines in Philadelphia. But the solution is not to outlaw all skill games, including those that are legal. The livelihoods of several small enterprises in the city will be put in jeopardy.
