New Kensington hikes skill game license fee 150%
Skill game vendors will pony up some more cash to license their devices in New Kensington.
Council gave final approval to increase annual license fees for mechanical skill games to $750, up 150% from its current $300, said Clerk John Zavadak.
The new fee becomes effective next year. Zavadak predicts that the new fee would generate about $30,000 in additional revenue, from $20,000 to $50,000.
Mechanical skill games look similar to slot machines and are found in establishments like bars and gas stations. The machines allow players to benefit from “skill” — like recognizing patterns — to improve their chance of winning.
Zavadak said skill games vendors, instead of the stores where machines are located, often pay the fee.
License fees for pool tables, shuffleboards, juke boxes, bowling, pinball machines, dart boards and other devices will remain at $100 per year.
Kellen Stepler is a TribLive reporter covering the Allegheny Valley and Burrell school districts and surrounding areas. He joined the Trib in April 2023. He can be reached at kstepler@triblive.com.
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