BENSALEM TOWNSHIP COUNCIL PROHIBITS LOCAL GAMING DEVICES, ALSO REFERRED TO AS “SKILL GAMES” AT VARIOUS LOCAL BUSINESSES

At its meeting on Monday night, October 28, 2024, the Bensalem Township Council reviewed and adopted a new Ordinance updating current laws and regulations relating to Local Gaming Devices and Games of Chance within the Township of Bensalem. Mayor DiGirolamo immediately approved the Ordinance, which will become effective in ten (10) days.

For the last two years, Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo and Public Safety Director William McVey have been monitoring the number of Local gaming Devices, commonly referred to as “skill games,” that have been installed in convenience stores, smoke shops, gas stations, delicatessens, and other establishments throughout the Township. The number of these unregulated and unmonitored gaming devices has grown significantly over the past few years, and today, the Township estimates the number of the devices throughout the Township to be at a staggering number of roughly 170.  Several criminal incidents related to them that have occurred locally in the last year have prompted Township Officials to confer with Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn regarding this growing problem and the Township’s concerns regarding the impact these machines are having on the health, safety, and welfare of Bensalem and its neighboring communities, and especially on the children and teenagers residing within our Township.  The Mayor, the Public Safety Director, and the District Attorney all agreed that changes in the law needed to be made. She proposed the Ordinance to the Township Council for its consideration and approval.

The newly adopted changes to the Township’s laws and regulations prohibit Logal Gaming Devices (skill game machines) anywhere in the Township except for those locations holding an active Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board liquor license.  Locations holding such liquor licenses will be required to segregate the Local Gaming Devices within their establishments to a local Gaming Area that can be monitored by employees and surveillance video that cannot be accessed by minors. The Ordinance imposes fines and penalties if an establishment is not in

compliance with the new laws and regulations, including a fine of up to $1000 plus costs for each day that an establishment does not comply, as well as the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order and the revocation of the Use and Occupancy Permit by Township Officials if a property owner or operator fails to remove any Local Gaming Devices after receiving an order to do so.

This new Ordinance will help Township Officials in their ongoing efforts to maintain the exceptional quality of life we enjoy in Bensalem Township, mainly by removing these devices from various establishments throughout the Township where they are visible and accessible to our children.  Removing these devices from many of our retail establishments will also eliminate loitering and promote a safer environment for all those who shop and make purchases at our many local businesses.

Mayor DiGirolamo, Director McVey, and the members of the Bensalem Township Council are dedicated to protecting and promoting the health, safety, and well-being of our community's residents and visitors, especially our children and youth. Township Officials appreciate the District Attorney’s willingness to assist us in this important initiative.

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