Senior Advocates Propose Skill Game Tax to Fund Area Agencies on Aging
Key Questions
What are Pennsylvania senior advocates proposing for skill game revenue?
They seek to tax skill games to generate $107 million for Area Agencies on Aging, restoring cuts and preventing reductions in meals, senior centers, and other programs amid Lottery Fund losses.
Why is additional funding needed for senior services in Pennsylvania?
The Lottery Fund faces a $170 million shortfall from skill game competition, combined with growing demand from an aging population that has led to waiting lists and reliance on fundraisers at the local level.
Who supports or opposes the skill game tax proposal?
Senator Collett has voiced support, and county aging offices are advocating for the measure; however, skill game manufacturers are pushing back against the new tax.
Pennsylvania senior advocates are pushing to use tax revenue from skill games to fund Area Agencies on Aging, seeking $107 million to restore cuts and prevent service reductions to meals, senior centers, and other programs. The proposal comes as the Lottery Fund faces a $170M hit from skill game competition, and demographic urgency adds pressure. Local reporting adds details on waiting lists and reliance on fundraisers, with manufacturers pushing back. Senator Collett has voiced support. This is a new policy debate that could affect access to local senior services.