The legality of Pennsylvania skill games, which has been dragged on for years, finally has some clarity. The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court unanimously ruled that unregulated skill games within the state are legal games of skill.
Despite the Commonwealth Court siding in favor of skill games, it doesn’t mean the saga is over. The case could end up in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, or these games could become regulated at some point soon.
Members of the legal gaming industry, which many, if not all oppose skill games, must accept the fact that they will not be banned in any capacity right now. Remaining unregulated could continue to impact retail and PA online casinos.
Commonwealth Court rules Pennsylvania skill games are legal
The Commonwealth Court has made it clear that skill games will remain legal, despite the fact that the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office stated that the games are "clearly” slot machines. The court believes that the machines are games of skill and not chance.
The Commonwealth Court said in a court order:
"In light of our conclusion that the POM machines are not slot machines under the Crimes Code, we need not resolve this further dispute of the parties. Regardless of which interpretation is proper, because the POM machines are not slot machines, the POM machines are not illegal per se.”
Pace-O-Matic (POM), a Georgia-based skill games manufacturer, has been fighting the legality of its games since 2019. The Commonwealth Court determined that the state wrongfully seized skill game machines multiple times over the years.
POM President and CEO, Paul Goldean, said in a press release:
"This is a major victory for Pennsylvania Skill, but it’s equally a victory for our operators and the thousands of small businesses, volunteer fire companies, and fraternal clubs who have come to depend on the revenue our games provide. This is also a win for many players across the commonwealth who enjoy skill games as a popular entertainment option. Our games have always been legal, and this ruling proves that once and for all.”
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