Pennsylvania State Police is providing guidance and recommendations to businesses and establishments currently operate skill game machines to help prepare for the upcoming compliance deadline following the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s recent decision.
On June 15, the state’s Supreme Court ruled “skill game” devices, often found in taverns, restaurants, social clubs, mini-marts, gas stations, grocery stores, laundromats, pizza parlors, and other businesses are in fact “slot machines” as defined in the Gaming Act.
Slot machines are considered gambling devices under the Crimes Code and a person commits a criminal offense by owning, operating, maintaining slot machines without a license issued by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).
Only licensed casinos and qualifying licensed “truck stop video game terminals” may legally possess, operate and maintain slot machines that have been inspected and approved for operation by the PGCB.
Therefore, all “skill games” throughout the state of Pennsylvania outside of licensed casinos and truck stops are unlawful and all establishments possessing operating and/or maintaining such machines are subject to criminal prosecution and immediate seizure of the machines as of October 14, 2026.
Pennsylvania State Police and other law enforcement agencies may take enforcement action against businesses which continue to possess, operate and/or maintain such machines after that date.
Enforcement actions may include seizing and forfeiting the machines and/or filing criminal charges where deemed appropriate.
Pennsylvania State Police strongly recommends businesses currently hosting such machines discuss their removal with an distributors or vendors who may own the machines and associated equipment, including ticket redemption terminals.
Simply powering off an otherwise operable machine or unplugging them is not sufficient to comply with the law.
If a distributor or vendor is unwilling to remove machines, the establishment is encouraged to proactively reach out to state police to assist in their removal to ensure compliance with applicable law.
