HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania businesses with so-called skill games must remove the machines by Oct. 14 or risk seizures, forfeitures and potential criminal charges after the state Supreme Court determined the devices are illegal slot machines under existing law, Attorney General Dave Sunday warned.
The June ruling classified the machines as slot machines under Pennsylvania’s Gaming Act. The court stayed its decision for 120 days, setting up the Oct. 14 enforcement date.
Unless lawmakers change state law before then, Pennsylvania State Police and other law enforcement agencies may take action against businesses that continue to possess, operate or maintain the machines.
Potential enforcement includes seizure and forfeiture of the machines, related equipment and money connected with their operation. Criminal charges could also be filed when authorities determine they are warranted.
“We do not want to see searches and seizures at storefronts or bar, social club and restaurant establishments — we would much rather business owners and social clubs comply with the law and take steps to get these illegal devices out of their places of business,” Sunday said.
The warning also extends to distributors, vendors and manufacturers that refuse to remove machines from businesses. The Attorney General’s Office advised that those companies could face criminal charges if they continue maintaining the devices for operation.
Simply shutting down or unplugging a machine will not satisfy the requirement. The Attorney General’s Office advised businesses that a device remains a slot machine if it is temporarily disabled but can readily be returned to operation.
Businesses should instead contact vendors or distributors and demand removal of the machines from their premises before the enforcement date, according to the office.
Pennsylvania law permits slot machines at licensed casinos and certain licensed truck stops. The Supreme Court’s June decision followed years of legal disputes over whether machines marketed as skill games fell outside the state’s gambling restrictions.
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