Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity recently stood alongside skill game operators at a protest against the state’s recent ban. The move sparked criticism of the Pennsylvania Republican candidate, with some viewing her support for the seemingly unpopular industry as “desperate.”
At the event, some business owners who operated skill game machines said they would need to lay off staff because of the ban. According to CBS News, Garrity told local business owners that Governor Josh Shapiro didn’t care about them, claiming he had “years” to address the ban but failed to do so. Shapiro, meanwhile, has reportedly supported legalizing these machines with high taxes. Garrity opposed that approach, defending lower taxes.
The protest followed the official ban of skill games from ordinary businesses in Pennsylvania. The state Supreme Court made the decision in June, ruling that the machines were essentially slot machines. As a result, they would need a gambling license to operate. The ruling took effect in October.
Pennsylvanians Criticize Stacy Garrity for Supporting Skill Game Operators
Locals on r/Pennsylvania were not too keen on seeing Garrity stand with skill game operators. One of them wrote: “Calling them ‘skill games’ is some of the most euphemistic nonsense out there. Of course this clown show of a candidate supports yet another way to steal our money.”
Someone else argued: “They should call them sit games cause all you do is sit there and hit a button hoping you’ll win something.”
Others made fun of Garrity for supporting the industry: “I understand the concept of oppositional politics but in what reality does someone look at these things and think ‘this is something I need to support’?”
Someone else commented: “Sheer desperation. Not going to move the needle much for her campaign. If anything, probably turns off some voters who don’t care for Skill games, especially seeing them in gas stations, convenience stores, supermarkets, etc. Skill games are unregulated gambling devices. Full stop.”
One user summarized: “She has nothing else to campaign on. Dear leader’s approval rating is through the floor so she can’t tout any of his accomplishments.”
It remains to be seen whether Pennsylvania will eventually regulate skill games. Until then, the court’s ruling will keep their operation in ordinary businesses prohibited.
