Published on: February 4, 2026, 01:32h.
Updated on: February 4, 2026, 01:58h.
- A former executive in the gaming industry has admitted guilt to money laundering charges in Pennsylvania.
- Pace-O-Matic is the entity behind the well-known Pennsylvania Skill gaming terminals.
- Ricky Goodling, previously a state police corporal, served as the national compliance director at POM.
The ex-official from Pace-O-Matic, a prominent supplier of skill-based gaming machines, has entered a guilty plea for money laundering activities.
Today, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday revealed that Ricky Goodling, 59, from Mechanicsburg, confessed to laundering illicit funds linked to payoffs received from parties involved in the distribution and operation of the unregulated gaming machines statewide.
The Attorney General stated that Goodling accepted bribes during his tenure as Pace-O-Matic’s national compliance director. An extensive investigation led by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and the Attorney General’s office determined that Goodling, a retired PSP corporal, took in hundreds of thousands of dollars from non-compliant distributors and operators in exchange for not disclosing their regulatory violations.
“This defendant has pled guilty to a grave offense and has accepted responsibility for his actions, driven by personal greed,” stated Attorney General Sunday.
Goodling is scheduled for sentencing in Cumberland County Court on April 28. He pleaded guilty to a first-degree felony for dealing in criminal proceeds.
As national compliance director, Goodling was tasked with ensuring that POM’s partners, distributors, and hosting venues complied with their internal regulations. This included verifying that establishments offering skill games, such as bars and restaurants, did not mix illegal slot machines with their Pennsylvania Skill options.
POM commented to Casino.org:
Pace-O-Matic is quite distressed by Mr. Goodling’s guilty plea related to conspiracy involving the underreporting of taxable income. While we monitor the developments closely, law enforcement has clarified that Pace-O-Matic bears no connection to Mr. Goodling’s actions. Upon being informed of the investigation into Mr. Goodling’s activities in November 2023, Pace-O-Matic promptly terminated his employment.
The Unregulated Skill Games in Pennsylvania
Skill games are gaming machines resembling slots but incorporate an element of skill in determining player payouts.
In contrast to traditional slots that depend entirely on a random number generator, skill games allow players to engage in skill-based challenges, such as a Simon Says memory game and tic-tac-toe, enhancing their chances of winning. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, along with the heavily regulated and taxed gaming industry, strongly disapproves of skill games. The Pennsylvania Lottery shares this view as well.
Supporters of the legal gaming sector argue that skill games siphon play, revenues, and taxes from regulated establishments. Critics highlight the lack of regulations surrounding skill games, which leads to insufficient consumer protections, like fair play and minimum payout standards. Furthermore, these games are often easily accessible to minors, raising concerns about increased crime rates associated with them.
“Goodling’s actions contributed to the chaotic environment surrounding these games in Pennsylvania,” added Attorney General Sunday.
Pace-O-Matic develops the software for the Pennsylvania Skill games, while Pennsylvania-based Miele Manufacturing assembles the gaming terminals and cabinets.
Navigating the Legal Grey Area
Recent court rulings have determined that Pennsylvania’s Gaming Act does not govern skill games due to their payouts being influenced by skill rather than just chance. Consequently, POM regards these games as legal.
The skill games lobby is pursuing a legal framework, urging lawmakers in Harrisburg to pass legislation that outlines operational guidelines for these machines. Additionally, the industry seeks to be taxed at a fair rate, significantly lower than the 52% proposed by Governor Josh Shapiro.