Clicky

New Proposal Could Lead to Regulation of Slot-Like Machines in Pennsylvania - PennsylvaniaCasinos.com News : PennsylvaniaCasinos.com News
pennsylvania-skill
Published on
Update on

Pennsylvanian seems to be poised to go through yet another major gambling overhaul. This is thanks to a recent proposal by the state’s Senate which intends to introduce even more sweeping changes to the gaming market. Most notably, the proposal is pushing for the legalization of slot-like gaming terminals which will be situated in a plethora of social spaces across the Keystone State. This includes bars, restaurants, liquor stores, and even social clubs.

It has been about three years since the last major gambling legislation came into effect in Pennsylvania and the fact that they are considering more gambling may imply that things have been going quite well. Needless to say, the coronavirus pandemic had a huge impact on the state’s gambling industry but there has been a lot of optimism thanks to the rather impressive revenue statistics that the PGCB has been releasing.

The so-called ‘video gaming terminals’ otherwise referred to as ‘games of skill’ have been very controversial. Lots of stakeholders in the gambling industry have pointed out that they are unregulated and therefore are unfairly competing with the regulated games that they resemble. There have been calls to have them banned but it seems that the Senate has a totally different thing in mind.

“We’re trying to bring in to the light of day, gaming, that’s going on that’s unregulated currently. They’re completely unregulated and completely unsupervised, even though they have signs that say you have to be over 21. No one is regulating or watching.”

Majority leader Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre).

For the lawmaker, this is a great opportunity to tap into an activity that is already deeply rooted in the state owing to how wide-spread the machines are.

Pace-O-Matic Partners Up with ‘Allies’

Perhaps the most notable name in the skill games saga is Pace-O-Matic, the company that manufactures the machines. It has been facing a lot of opposition and backlash for developing and distributing the machines. The proposed legislation, as it turns out, is even more bad news for the company.

It has also recently partnered with some of Pennsylvania’s retail casino operators in a bid to oppose the proposal to bring the video game terminals under state regulations. As it stands, the machines can only operate at truck stops.

The retail casino operators have been seeking the ban of the skill gaming machines but the proposal brings forth a conflict of interest as it will imply even more competition. This is a very interesting dynamic and for now, we will have to wait and see what happens since the proposal is still in its very nascent stages.

Latest Headlines

Will Pennsylvania Be the Next Esports Betting Hotspot?

Pennsylvania could soon become the latest U.S. state to embrace esports betting, thanks to a newly proposed bill aimed at expanding the state’s regulated wagering market. State Representative Ed Neilson has introduced House Bill 1636, a legislative push that seeks to amend Pennsylvania’s 2017 Gaming Expansion Act to include esports betting. This is Neilson’s second […]

Pennsylvania Casinos Set for Modernization as Slot Machine Requirements Face Major Overhaul

Pennsylvania’s gaming industry is on the verge of a significant shift as Senate Bill 840 moves closer to becoming law. The bill, which recently passed in the state Senate, proposes reducing the mandatory minimum number of slot machines at Category 1 and 2 casinos from 1,500 to 1,000, offering operators much-needed flexibility to stay competitive […]

PA’s Skill Game Controversy Heats Up with Hundreds of Machines Removed

As it turns out, March was a big month for Pennsylvania’s gambling scene, but not for the usual reasons. Instead of new online casino launches or sportsbook promotions, the spotlight turned to a statewide crackdown on illegal gambling devices. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police, spearheaded a coordinated sweep […]

New Fanatics Casino App Now Live in Pennsylvania

Fanatics, best known for its sports merchandise empire, has officially launched its standalone online casino app for Pennsylvania players. The new platform allows direct access to casino games without needing to go through the Fanatics Sportsbook, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion into the Keystone State’s growing iGaming market. While the web version […]

WSOP Online Breaks New Ground with Four-State Network

The WSOP Online platform, operated by Caesars Entertainment, Inc., has broken new ground in the regulated US poker business by bringing together players from four different states. Now that Pennsylvania has joined Nevada, New Jersey, and Michigan in providing a common player pool across all four states, Caesars has positioned WSOP Online as the only site […]

Similar Stories in Gambling

Will Pennsylvania Be the Next Esports Betting Hotspot?

Pennsylvania could soon become the latest U.S. state to embrace esports betting, thanks to a newly proposed bill aimed at expanding the state’s regulated wagering market. State Representative Ed Neilson has introduced House Bill 1636, a legislative push that seeks to amend Pennsylvania’s 2017 Gaming Expansion Act to include esports betting. This is Neilson’s second […]

PA’s Skill Game Controversy Heats Up with Hundreds of Machines Removed

As it turns out, March was a big month for Pennsylvania’s gambling scene, but not for the usual reasons. Instead of new online casino launches or sportsbook promotions, the spotlight turned to a statewide crackdown on illegal gambling devices. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police, spearheaded a coordinated sweep […]

Pennsylvania iGaming’s Record-Breaking Growth in 2024: A Blueprint for 2025?

Pennsylvania’s online casino market ended 2024 on a high note, setting benchmarks that could shape the future of iGaming across the U.S. With all the competitive platforms now available to players in 2025, the Keystone State has become a hub of innovation, competition, and revenue generation. The past year’s success not only showcases the state’s […]

Pennsylvania’s Skill Games Debate Still Alive in 2025

Pennsylvania Skill games—slot-like machines that blend elements of chance and skill—are a growing presence in small businesses and social clubs across the Keystone State. Yet their unregulated status has sparked fierce debates among lawmakers, the casino industry, and the public. Now, they are in the spotlight again. As the Pennsylvania General Assembly reconvenes on January […]