PA State Police Could Begin Seizing Skill Game Machines Next Month

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania State Police are warning businesses with skill games that their machines could be confiscated beginning next month.

That's because the state Supreme Court in June ruled that skill games are equivalent to slot machines, but are not taxed and licensed like slot machines. The court gave the state legislature until Oct. 13 to come up with a plan to regulate them; lawmakers have yet to do so.

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There currently are 70,000 skill game machines across the state in taverns, restaurants, social clubs, mini-marts, gas stations, grocery stores, laundromats, pizza parlors, and other businesses. Most of those establishments rely on the machines to generate revenue.

As of now, only licensed casinos and qualifying licensed "truck stop establishments" may legally possess, operate, and maintain slot machines or video gaming terminals that have been inspected and approved for operation by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

"Therefore, all skill game devices/slot machines throughout the Commonwealth 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," state police warned in a release.

State police and other law enforcement agencies could take enforcement action against businesses continuing to possess, operate and/or maintain skill game machines after that date. Enforcement actions could include seizing the machines, associated equipment and money associated with the operation of the machines and/or filing criminal charges.

Businesses won't be in compliance with the law if they merely power off or unplug the machines.

State police are strongly recommending that businesses with skill game machines contact any distributors or vendors who own the machines and their associated equipment, such as ticket redemption terminals.

If a distributor or vendor is unwilling to remove their machines, establishments are urged to proactively reach out to the state police to assist in their removal.