Bucks County community of Bensalem prohibits casino-style games of skill with some exceptions

BENSALEM, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — Following a unanimous vote Monday night, games of skill are now prohibited in Bensalem, Bucks County, with some exceptions.

During a city council meeting, Public Safety Director William McVey, at the mayor’s request due to public complaints, said his department had been investigating the issue for two years.

In 2023, it was estimated that there were 100 games of skill in companies throughout the municipality. That number increased to 170 in 2024, according to police.

Games can be found in businesses such as delis, restaurants, bars, and convenience stores.

Police said unregulated gaming threatens the quality of life and public safety in Bensalem, pointing to robberies, thefts and even drug use linked to games of skill.

“We’ve seen a proliferation of these machines and all types of businesses and we’ve also seen them welcoming a criminal element,” McVey said.

There are exceptions to the new rule for businesses and clubs with active state-issued liquor licenses. However, they will now have to monitor the play areas with video surveillance and place them in areas visible to employees and not accessible to children.

Bensalem’s attorney said the guidelines are designed to mirror a proposal currently in the state Senate, Senate Bill 1142.

In response to Bensalem’s new ordinance, PA Skill spokesperson Mike Barley issued the following statement to Action News:

“Pennsylvania Skill is alarmed that Bensalem Twp. supervisors are approving a measure that will hurt small family businesses and fraternal clubs that benefit from supplemental revenue from skill games.

We take the well-being of the communities where our games are located seriously and agree that the number of illegal gaming machines springing up in communities across the state is a problem. However, a ban that includes legal games of skill is not the answer. It only jeopardizes the livelihoods of small businesses and fraternal groups already struggling with inflation and other economic problems.

We advocate for what Governor Josh Shapiro supports: regulation of skill games and tax legislation that will rid neighborhoods of illegal gaming machines, especially mini-casinos, without harming law-abiding business owners. The legislation would also provide tax revenue for the state to use on priorities such as transportation and public transit.

Considering the council is basing its ordinance on a law written by casinos, Senate Bill 1142, this tells us everything we need to know about who is driving this effort. This is about protecting an internationally owned casino. We urge Bensalem Twp. prioritize their local businesses and fraternal clubs and not the Parx Casino.”

“My response is that we are doing this based on the public safety need of Bensalem Township, based on the data we have had. I have seen a 40% increase in these machines in our township in one year.” McVey said in response.

Anthony Ricciardi owns Ricciardi Mini Mart and the Sunoco gas station in town with his family and six employees. He has four skill game machines that he will now have to get rid of because his business does not fall into any of the exceptions.

He says he has had no problems with violence or crime and considers the new ordinance a blow to his small business.

“As a small, family-owned convenience store, we work with small, tight margins on our products, so it’s just one of those extra things that helps us with bills and payroll,” Ricciardi said.

He clashed with city leaders defending his business Monday night, but leaders, including the Bucks County district attorney, said the move was necessary.

“We hear it all the time: Victims of violent crimes always say, ‘I didn’t think it would happen to me until it happened.’ And as much as you think your facility is safe, we know that criminals target these facilities, these establishments because They know they are not regulated,” said Bucks County Prosecutor Jennifer Schorn.

This ordinance goes into effect in 10 days. During this time, the city will work to notify businesses it is aware could be affected.

The city also says they will not confiscate the machines, but fines and penalties could be imposed for non-compliance.

the city of Philadelphia took similar steps earlier this year. citing similar reasons for crime and violence related to games of skill.