Following a difficult start to the year, Pennsylvania’s gaming market rebounded spectacularly in March, with the casino industry earning record-high revenues.
Totaling at $462.7m, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, this outmatched the previous record set in November of last year.
This achievement was so great, in fact, that the minds at Pennsylvania Skill, a company owned by Pace-O-Matic, felt compelled to applaud this success.
“That casinos and skill games are performing so well at the same time is great news for the state,” said Mike Barley, spokesman for Pennsylvania Skill. “Many people benefit. From our industry, we know that our skill games are supporting small businesses, fraternal organizations and veteran organizations.”
“It has been proven through these studies that skill games have had no impact on casino revenues,” added Barley. “And, unlike the out-of-state and international companies operating in the casino space, over 90% of the profits generated from our Pennsylvania Skill games stay in the Commonwealth supporting small businesses, veterans organizations, and fraternal clubs.”
These quotes are not out of the blue, however. Presently, Pace-O-Matic is embroiled in a lawsuit with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (BLCE).
The lawsuit itself states that the BLCE engaged in coordinated harassment against Pennsylvania Skill operators and location owners where legal skilled games are played. What Pace-O-Matic seeks now is that BLCE be permanently blocked from targeting their games.
Regarding this lawsuit, Barley noted: “It is undeniable that BLCE officials coordinated with a for-profit company to harass POM and organizations and businesses where Pennsylvania Skill games are played."
Whether these accusations hold weight is yet to be fully determined by the courts.
