Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro called for regulating and taxing skill games in his latest budget address, a proposal he says would raise tens of millions of dollars in revenue, but one that also places him at the center of a years-old battle for dominance of the gambling industry here.

The playing field involves three major interests—casinos, the video gaming terminal industry, and the makers of untaxed and unregulated skill games.

Pace-O-Matic said it welcomes regulation as long as skills games, like the ones it produces, are not overseen by the state’s Gaming Control Board, as Shapiro proposed. Casinos and their lobbyists oppose the slot machine-like games, which they view as a direct threat to their earnings.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Shapiro didn’t offer additional specifics on his plan but said: “Lawmakers, stop talking about this issue and start working on it and see what we can do to bring in more revenue for the commonwealth.”

Read Spotlight PA’s full report: Shapiro wants to tax skill games. He must first navigate Pa.’s wealthy, warring gambling interests. 

“The bigger picture is extremely concerning, I think, as we go into what will be an incredibly heated political season.”

—Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe on the case of Justin Mohn of Bucks County, who was charged this week with planning attacks on federal buildings after being charged with killing his father, a federal worker

PA MADE: What’s the coolest thing made in Pennsylvania? The PA Chamber wants your nominations for this year’s “Coolest Things” competition. The deadline is today. Take a look at last year’s crop for inspiration.  

MORE SNOW: Punxsutawney Phil’s early spring is taking a backseat with another winter storm expected this weekend. Western, south-central, and eastern Pennsylvania could see up to three inches of snow.

DINO DISCOVERY: A Harrisburg University professor helped discover a new dinosaur species, a close relative of the T. rex, WITF reports. The find has scientists rethinking how and where the T. rex evolved. 

‘BIRD TOWN’: Media Borough became an official “Bird Town” this month, WHYY reports. The borough, which was already a Bee City and a Tree City, wants residents to “think differently about their winged neighbors.”

FISH FRY-DAYS: Lent started this week, meaning the highly anticipated fish fry Fridays are back. Belt Magazine, in a 2022 piece, explains the origins of the Catholic tradition and how Pittsburgh became a “City of Cod.”