Pennsylvania Police Create Tip Line for Illegal Skill Games

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) have launched a public reporting channel for illegal skill games following the October 14 deadline for enforcement. The continued housing of the machines by businesses faces criminal charges, equipment seizures, and confiscation of related proceeds. Suspected violations can be reported by e-mail or phone. Pennsylvania Businesses Face Penalties for Keeping Skill Games On-Site The move follows a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that put skill games under the state’s legal definition of slot machines. The court ruled on June 15, 2026, but delayed implementation until October 14 to give companies time to remove the devices from the market. Pennsylvania law provides that slot machines can only be located at licensed establishments that have been approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). The restrictions are for machines installed in businesses such as bars, restaurants, convenience stores, grocery stores, and social clubs. Licensed casinos and qualifying licensed truck stops may operate approved gaming machines under the regulatory authority of the state. The PSP said that turning off a machine alone does not qualify for removal. Devices are to be removed from the premises, even if temporarily out of order or unpowered. Authorities may seize the machines and equipment, take money made through the machines, and file criminal charges where appropriate. Administrative action could also be initiated against establishments with liquor licenses, which could result in fines or license suspensions. Businesses having difficulty organizing removals have been advised to contact their equipment suppliers and distributors. Pennsylvania Skill Games Ban Threatens Small Businesses and Community Groups The sheer scale of the operation poses a big problem for the police. Prior to the restrictions, there are an estimated 70,000 skill game machines running in Pennsylvania. With no legislative deal in place to keep the machines running in a regulated system, the enforcement deadline came and went. Lawmakers have considered proposals to legalize and tax skill games, but disagreements over licensing fees, taxation, and regulatory requirements have prevented a compromise. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has called on Republican leaders in the state Senate to move legislation that could create a legal framework for the industry. However, the industry remains subject to enforcement unless Congress passes some legislation changing the present legal position. This debate carries significant economic consequences for small businesses and community organizations that have depended on income generated by skill games. Groups that could be affected include American Legion and VFW posts, volunteer fire companies, emergency service organizations and fraternal clubs. Pace-O-Matic, a leading skill game software provider, said the loss of machine revenue could place further pressure on these organizations and local businesses. Typically, host establishments take a percentage of the revenue generated by the machines, with the remainder being split between the manufacturers and the service providers. Authorities warned earlier this month that the long-running legal uncertainty over the machines will end with the October deadline. The PSP also clarified that companies would have to dispose of the devices, not just stop using them. The Pennsylvania General Assembly’s 2026 legislative session ends November 30, leaving lawmakers a tight window to find a legislative fix.