HARRISBURG, PA / ACCESS Newswire / November 11, 2026 / As Pennsylvania prepares to honor its military veterans on Veterans Day, the Pennsylvania Taverns and Players Association (PA TAP) is highlighting the financial hardship facing American Legions and VFW posts after the statewide shutdown of skill games.
For years, veterans organizations across Pennsylvania relied on skill-game revenue to pay bills, maintain their buildings, help veterans in need, and support charitable programs in their communities. That revenue disappeared on October 13, when skill games were shut down after the Pennsylvania Legislature failed to pass legislation establishing a regulatory framework.
Now, less than a month later, veterans organizations are grappling with the consequences.
"This is no way to honor our veterans on Veterans Day," said PA TAP President Doug Sprankle. "Lawmakers will attend ceremonies, give speeches and thank veterans for their service. But many of those same veterans are now struggling to keep their posts operating because Harrisburg failed to act. These organizations warned lawmakers what would happen, and unfortunately, we're now seeing those warnings become reality."
In June, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that skill games were illegal slot machines and provided a 120-day window before the ruling took effect. During that time, lawmakers had an opportunity to reach an agreement on legislation that would regulate and tax the games while allowing veterans organizations, volunteer fire companies, fraternal clubs and small businesses to continue benefiting from the revenue.
Despite months of discussion, the General Assembly failed to reach an agreement.
According to PA TAP, the impact is already being felt across Pennsylvania. Veterans posts that depended on skill game revenue are facing difficult decisions about how to cover operating expenses, continue charitable giving and maintain the services their members and communities have come to rely on. Some are concerned about their ability to remain open if the lost revenue cannot be replaced.
For the Earl Eshelman Memorial VFW Post 9045 in Mohnton, the loss of skill game revenue has raised serious concerns about whether the post can remain open in the coming months. The organization has said it may not survive even a few months without skill games.
Rusty Miller with the Mechanicsburg VFW has said the possibility of shutting down the post is becoming a serious concern. "In a matter of weeks my Veterans of Foreign Wars post could be facing a decision none of us ever thought we would have to make - closing our doors," said Miller.
"These aren't just social clubs," said Sprankle. "American Legions and VFWs are places where veterans find friendship, support and a sense of belonging. They're also organizations that help struggling veterans, support local charities, provide scholarships and give back to their communities. When they lose funding, the entire community feels it."
For Commander Ed Carter of VFW Post 418 in Allegheny County, the loss of skill game revenue means more than financial uncertainty. "Without the income from the games, we can't do anything. I want to fight to help veterans, there are 22 a day still who take their own lives," said Carter.
At a rally in Harrisburg in October, Stephen Holmes, commander of the Ephraim Slaughter American Legion Post 733, pointed out the hypocrisy of casinos fighting against skill game regulation. "When it comes to our brothers and sisters in arms, our volunteer fire departments - we need help. Where were the casinos during COVID? Where were they when we were feeding homeless vets," asked Holmes.
PA TAP noted that veterans organizations were not asking for government assistance. They wanted lawmakers to establish reasonable regulations that would allow them to continue receiving revenue from skill games while generating additional tax dollars for the Commonwealth.
Instead, the failure to reach a legislative compromise has left these organizations without an important source of financial support.
"There's no question that lawmakers had differences over how skill games should be taxed and regulated," Sprankle said. "But those disagreements shouldn't have resulted in veterans organizations losing revenue they depended on. There was an opportunity to find a solution, and it didn't happen."
PA TAP is urging lawmakers to return to Harrisburg and address the issue before more veterans organizations are forced to cut services or close their doors.
"Our veterans answered the call when our country needed them," he said. "Now, when their organizations need help, Pennsylvania's elected leaders should recognize what's happening and work toward a solution. Our veterans deserve more than words of appreciation. They deserve action."
About PA TAP
The Pennsylvania Taverns and Players Association (PA TAP) advocates for policies that protect and strengthen Pennsylvania's small businesses, fraternal clubs, volunteer fire companies and veterans organizations. PA TAP works to promote the financial stability and long-term success of its members while preserving the important role they play in communities across the Commonwealth.
Media Contact
Jeanette Krebs
jk@krebs.solutions
SOURCE: Pennsylvania Taverns & Players Association (PA TAP)
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire