ICYMI: “Skill” Games Continue To Attract Crime In Pennsylvania

ICYMI – The presence of shady “skill” games continues to contribute to criminal activity in Pennsylvania’s communities.

The latest in “skill” machine-targeted crimes, in the town of York, Pennsylvania, two men recently robbed a “skill” machine in a local convenience store, stealing money and damaging the machine, according to a report from casino.org.

Since the machines were introduced in the state nearly 10 years ago, law enforcement officials have noted their correlation with the state’s uptick in loitering, robbery and even gunplay:

“The violence we see around our stores when we have these gatherings — particularly in some of our more violent pockets — is just adding another ingredient [to crime],” said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel.

Criminal incidents like those in Pennsylvania convenience stores are no anomaly. Everywhere they are present, convenience store slots serve as honeypots for crime and suspicious behavior. The payout of gas station gambling is simply not worth the risk to customers and communities.

Virginia should consider Pennsylvania’s mishaps with these games a stark warning. Do the Commonwealth a favor and keep these dangerous devices OUT of our neighborhoods.

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