The debate over taxing and regulating skill game machines is receiving renewed attention in Harrisburg, this time from lawmakers and advocates who believe that revenue from the unregulated gaming machines could help fund services for older adults.
And with the commonwealth anticipating rapid growth in the number of residents over the age of 60, coupled with existing financial constraints experienced by local agencies that support older Pennsylvanians, there’s a growing push in Harrisburg to tax the games and use the funds to bolster support for the state’s aging residents.
“Pennsylvania is really at a crossroads,” said Rebecca May-Cole, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging, who argued that skill games have drawn money away from the Pennsylvania Lottery, which funds programs for older adults…