Pennsylvania State Police report 99.4% compliance with skill-game removal
Enforcement & compliance1 min read
The Pennsylvania State Police said officers visited 12,202 establishments after enforcement began on 14 October and found skill games had been removed from 12,134, a 99.4% compliance rate. Police seized 14 machines and $1,913, and warned that sweepstakes machines could also breach state law and expose operators and hosts to criminal charges. Investigations into locations that have not removed the machines remain active.
Of the 12,202 establishments visited since October 14, 12,134 no longer had skill games, a 99.4% compliance rate, Pennsylvania State Police said. During the enforcement period, officers seized 14 machines and $1,913.
Some operators and manufacturers are introducing sweepstakes machines that take no cash directly, claiming this makes the devices legal, authorities warned. Alternative payment arrangements could still put the devices in breach of state law, and no manufacturer or operator asked police about their legality before installing them in businesses. Distributors and host establishments risk criminal charges for unlawful gambling and related offences if they keep the machines operating.
Skill terminals were classified as illegal slots in a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that confined gaming machines to venues licensed by state gaming regulators. The June 15 ruling was followed by a 120-day safe harbor from prosecution for businesses with skill games. State police began enforcement on October 14, when the deadline passed.
The court’s decision covers games determined by chance, skill or their combination, whether they use a random number generator or a finite pool of outcomes, state police said. Investigations remain underway at locations that have not removed skill games voluntarily.