Garrity Proposes Skill Game Fee in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity proposes a new monthly fee for skill game machines.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Gambling
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Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity toured the Henry Molded Products plant in Lebanon this week, where she proposed a $500 monthly fee for regulated skill game machines. The proposal aims to address broader state economic and education funding goals.
Why it matters
Garrity argues that Pennsylvania should leverage natural resources to lower manufacturing costs while avoiding the high taxation levels currently applied to casinos. Her proposal surfaces as the state faces significant gaps in student reading and math proficiency levels.
The proposed skill game framework includes a $500 monthly fee per machine. This follows state data showing that seven out of ten eighth-graders in Pennsylvania are currently unable to read or perform math at their grade level.
The players
Stacy Garrity
She serves as the Treasurer of Pennsylvania and recently toured a manufacturing plant to discuss economic policy.
Josh Shapiro
He is the current Governor of Pennsylvania.
The details
During her visit to the Lebanon facility, Garrity highlighted her vision for economic growth, projecting that leveraging natural resources could create 200,000 jobs and generate between $5 and $6 billion in revenue. These targets are contrasted against the current administration, which has increased state education spending by $3 billion.
Timeline
Monday: Stacy Garrity toured the Henry Molded Products plant.
November 4: Planned start of initiative implementation.
Culture Shift
The proposed skill game fee extension mirrors the state government’s focus on workforce development established by the Grow PA program. This shift marks a broader legislative trend to link state-sanctioned gaming revenue directly with career readiness and economic expansion initiatives.
The introduction of a $500 monthly fee per machine may influence the density and accessibility of skill games in local establishments across Pennsylvania. Residents should monitor how these potential fee changes affect small businesses and local fire halls that currently rely on these machines.
The takeaway
Garrity suggests that regulatory adjustments for skill games could provide a funding alternative to current casino taxation models. Her strategy highlights a preference for utilizing state natural resources and private sector job growth to manage the state's expanding education budget.
What happens next
The implementation of the initiative is scheduled for November 4.
Further reading
Read more about industry trends in the Pennsylvania Gambling section.
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Should state governments prioritize natural resource extraction to drive job growth and economic development?
