Republic Amusements lays off 81 after Pennsylvania skill games ban
The Camp Hill company says the affected employees serve about 1,000 locations.
U.S.- Republic Amusements, a Pennsylvania skill games vendor, will lay off 81 employees after the state’s ban on the machines took effect on October 13. The Camp Hill-based company, which owns Capital Vending, Apple Vending and Entertainment Experts, has filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice, providing 60 days’ notice of the job cuts.
The family-owned business supplies bars, restaurants, fraternal organisations, family entertainment centres and convenience stores. According to the company, the affected employees serve approximately 1,000 locations across Pennsylvania.
Skill games machines have been available in Pennsylvania at venues including bars, restaurants, social clubs and convenience stores. However, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled on June 15 that skill games qualify as “slot machines” under the state’s Gaming Act. Pennsylvania State Police began enforcement on October 14 with the power to seize machines and pursue charges against those responsible for them.
Police said they had reached agreements with six skill games operators or distributors that expressed willingness to comply with the law but requested additional time to remove the machines.
“My family started this business nearly 64 years ago, and it’s incredibly frustrating to work this hard, to build something that supports great employees and real opportunities for small businesses, only to have our elected officials refuse to take action,” Republic Amusements COO Joe Calla said.
Skill games have faced scrutiny because, unlike casino gaming, they have not been subject to state gaming taxes or the same regulatory framework. Calla argued that the games played a role in supporting small businesses and that they operate differently from casinos because they’re installed inside businesses whose main purpose is not gambling.
Miele Manufacturing, one of the largest suppliers of skill-game machines in Pennsylvania, announced that it would stop operating its devices.
