(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Sean Simmers, Caption for Photo: Skill games at SkillGame Kingdom June 10, 2025. Sean Simmers of PennLive Patriot News)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Harrisburg, PA) The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) is reminding businesses and establishments in the state that continue to operate so-called “skill game” machines, about the upcoming compliance deadline of October 13th, 2026, following the recent decision of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruled on June 15th, 2026 that skill games, which are often found in gas stations, grocery stores, laundromats, mini-marts, pizza parlors, restaurants, social clubs, taverns, 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, or maintaining slot machines without a license that is issued by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).
Only licensed casinos and qualifying licensed “truck stop establishments” may legally possess and operate slot machines or video gaming terminals that have been approved for operation and inspected and by the PGCB.
Furthermore, which is pursuant to section 5513 of the Crimes Code, the distributors and manufacturers of such machines are cautioned that it is a criminal offense to assemble, lease, maintain, make, sell, or set up slot machines unless they are licensed and authorized to do so by the PGCB.
All “skill games” devices/slot machines that are located outside of PGCB-licensed businesses are unlawful and all establishments which are possessing, operating and/or maintaining such machines are subject to criminal prosecution and immediate seizure of the machines as of October 14th, 2026.
The PSP and other law enforcement agencies may also take enforcement action against businesses which continue to possess, operate and/or maintain such machines after that date occurs.
Enforcement actions may include forfeiting and seizing the machines, associated equipment and proceeds that are associated with the operation of the machines and/or filing criminal charges when they are deemed appropriate.
The PSP strongly recommends that businesses that are currently hosting such machines discuss their immediate removal with any distributors or vendors who may own the machines and equipment that is associated with them, including ticket redemption terminals.
Distributors, vendors and manufacturers that refuse to remove their slot machines from businesses are reminded of the potential for criminal charges if they continue to maintain devices for operation.
As stated previously, powering off or unplugging an otherwise operable machine is not sufficient.
A slot machine does not stop being a slot machine if it has simply been turned off, unplugged, or temporarily disabled, which allows it to be readily operated.
If a distributor or vendor is unwilling to remove the operable machines after the deadline, the establishment is encouraged to proactively reach out to PSP to help in their removal to ensure compliance with applicable law.