The Washington Township Supervisors are levying a fee on owners of electric skill game machines that offer monetary payouts.
By a 2-0 vote with chairman Rich Gardner absent, the supervisors approved an ordinance that levies annual fees on the machines.
Mechanical skill games look similar to slot machines and are often 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.
Under the new ordinance, owners of such gaming machines will pay a $500 fee every year along with an annual $100 fee for each machine they own.
“We wanted to make sure that these machines are regulated the same way they are in other communities,” Supervisor Matt Thornton said.
Both Supervisor Joe Olszewski and Solicitor Jed Price said the fees will not apply to machines offering games like pinball, Pac-Man, air hockey, pool or foosball.
“It’s only for machines that have a payout,” Olszewski said.
He said there are five such machines in the township and they are located in two gas station/convenience stores.
