Business owners push back as supervisors retool coin-operated game tax

A proposed township ordinance to levy a tax on coin-operated and amusement devices prompted multiple business owners and supervisors to debate definitions, fairness and expected revenue.

Brian Kush, treasurer of the Hungarian Club, told supervisors that not all machines are the same and urged the board to distinguish pool tables and jukeboxes from unregulated skill games. "We have 4 skills, 1 jukebox, 2 pool tables...we won't even make a $100 on that pool table," Kush said, arguing small on-premise devices produce little local revenue. Steve Senden, who identified himself as the owner of Leesburg Pizza, told the board his business already pays a $500 annual fee for video games and asked how the township would use any additional revenue: "We get hit for $500 a year for video games, which is we get nothing in return for it."

Supervisors discussed options including striking the term "merchandise" from the skill-machine definition so novelty claw/toy machines would not be captured, whether to prorate seasonal devices like pool tables, and the legal basis under the Local Tax Enabling Act. Officials estimated roughly 16–20 skill machines in the township and debated rates; one motion on the table amended the ordinance to tax skill machines only at $350 per machine, set the license year to run May 1–April 30, and directed staff to re-advertise the revised ordinance for a future vote. The board carried the motion and will bring the amended ordinance back for adoption after public notice.