Pennsylvania businesses need to act before October 13 to remove video betting terminals, also known as “skill games,” as state police are set to seize the machines and pursue potential criminal charges starting October 14.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office estimates that around 70,000 gaming machines are in operation across the Commonwealth. These devices are prevalent in convenience stores, gas stations, and other establishments, including in Philadelphia, while their legality has been a topic of debate for years. Supporters argue that the games rely on skill.
The Pennsylvania State Police announced on September 9 that anyone caught possessing, operating, or maintaining such machines will face criminal prosecution and immediate seizure of the machines from October 14, 2026 onwards.
Business owners are advised to contact distributors or vendors to arrange for the removal of the machines. State police have clarified that simply unplugging “an otherwise operable machine” will not meet the requirements, and store owners are encouraged to proactively reach out to the PSP for assistance in removing the devices.
This enforcement action follows a June ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which determined that the machines are essentially slot machines and are subject to both state gambling laws and the criminal code. The court deemed the devices indistinguishable from slots and should be regulated under the same laws, but allowed a four-month grace period for businesses to comply.
Upon expiration of this grace period, only licensed casinos and qualifying licensed truck stops will be allowed to possess slot machines or video gaming terminals in Pennsylvania. These devices must also pass inspection and approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
This ruling comes after years of political and regulatory debate surrounding the terminals. Proposals to legalize and tax skill games have been repeatedly introduced in Harrisburg, but none have successfully passed through Pennsylvania’s politically divided legislature. Gaming manufacturers and some business owners argue that the revenue generated from these machines is crucial for the continued operation of smaller businesses and fraternal clubs.
Philadelphia officials have taken a stricter stance on skill games in recent years, with City Council aiming to restrict the presence of these games. Some council members believe that skill games pose public safety risks and target vulnerable populations. Following the Supreme Court ruling, Mayor Cherelle Parker described skill game terminals as “predatory.”
“I firmly believe that these slot machines should not be in our neighborhoods, which are already facing social-economic and public safety challenges,” she said in a statement on June 16, adding that if these games are to be placed anywhere, they should be limited to private clubs and casinos.