Pennsylvania State Police warn of seizure of illegal skill game machines

Pennsylvania State Police have announced they are preparing for the potential seizure of approximately 70,000 illegal gambling devices, commonly referred to as ‘skill games,’ if state leaders do not enact new legislation by October 13.

A Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling previously determined these devices function as illegal slot machines. The court granted a 120-day stay to allow Governor Josh Shapiro and state lawmakers time to reach a legislative solution.

Starting October 14, establishments operating these machines face criminal prosecution and immediate device seizure. State police stated that simply powering off or unplugging the machines will not constitute legal compliance. While the agency intends to encourage voluntary removal by businesses, they have urged operators to contact distributors or reach out to the police for assistance in removing the unlawful equipment.