PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh City Council passed a tax on skill games Wednesday.
The new rule requires businesses to get licenses for skill games, including poker video slot and sweepstakes machines.
Businesses also have to pay a $1,000 tax every year.
Leaders hope this will help cut down on skill games in the city.
“I don’t think they’re conducive to a healthy city, to folks earning wealth, and just a model that really just preys upon folks that don’t need preyed upon,” District 3 Councilperson Bob Charland said.
This comes after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled skill games are slot machines.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Pennsylvanians weigh court ruling that could lead to taxation on skill games
Lawmakers now have 120 days to decide whether to tax the games at the state level.
If that happens, the state tax would supersede the city tax.
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