Clicky

Pennsylvania 'Skill Games' Still on the Spotlight - PennsylvaniaCasinos.com News : PennsylvaniaCasinos.com News
Pa-skill-games
Published on
Update on

Earlier this month, “game of skill machines” which are classified under the “Pennsylvania Skill” brand were subject to lots of drama. These gaming machines which are very similar to slot machines have been on the receiving end of a number of rather controversial decisions with a number of police raids being organized and court orders flying around. For the past few years, these “skill games” have been spreading rapidly throughout the Keystone State. Now, it seems that their proliferation is raising some eyebrows.

The Current State of Things

For now, one of the companies that manufacture the machines has won itself some temporary protection against police raids. This was through a court order but since it is temporary, the company is definitely not out of the woods yet. According to the state’s law enforcement, the devices are illegal. This is especially because despite their huge resemblance to slot machines they are not treated as gambling and thus not regulated.

“Unregulated video gambling terminals are a significant issue in the commonwealth, popping up in licensed liquor establishments, convenience stores, and shopping centers. Although often marketed as ‘games of skill,’ these terminals are illegal, and people and businesses who engage in illegal gambling risk prosecution,” said the state’s police spokesman.

Casino operators in the state have also been working to ensure that the “skill games” are done with. For instance, Parx Casino has been campaigning in a bid to convince the public that the machines are not only illegal but also dangerous. The casino operator cited that they are not subject to the same legal oversight on age restrictions, minimum payouts, and even tax restrictions.

All these arguments certainly hold a lot of water. Even so, the issue will only be settled either by legislative action or a court. Parties that are interested in the matter expect the issue to be resolved sometime in 2020.

The Battle for the Wire Act Continues

As Pennsylvania continues to clean up various elements of its gambling laws, the Department of Justice continues to champion the recent reinterpretation of the Wire Act. The reinterpretation of the law has been one of the most debated over the past year or so and earlier this year, it was overruled by a court of law. However, the Department of Justice is still hellbent on seeing it through and has even gone as far appealing the court ruling. In fact, they have even recently set a new compliance deadline.

Obviously, it is too early to tell how things might turn out before the newly set deadline. Neither sides of the divide seem to be willing to back down. Brace yourself for some legal action in 2020.

Latest Headlines

Are ‘Risk-Free’ Betting Bonuses Misleading Customers? More Regulators Think So

In recent years, numerous states in the United States have legalized online sports betting due to its growing popularity. The so-called “risk-free bet” is only one of the many perks and promotions offered by sportsbooks to lure in new consumers. A risk-free bet is exactly what it sounds like: if you lose your first bet […]

Pennsylvania Court Upholds Pace-O-Matic’s Skill Games as Legal

In 2021, the Monroe County District Attorney’s office conducted illegal raids on the firm and took possession of Pace-O-Matic’s (the company behind Pennsylvania Skill games) assets. Slot machines and other gambling hardware and cash were part of the confiscated property. Last week, Monroe County, Pennsylvania ruled a return of property case in favor of the […]

Pennsylvania Sets New Record with $5.2 Billion in Gambling Revenue for 2022

According to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), 2022 saw a record year for gambling earnings. Slot machines, table games, sports betting, internet gambling, video gaming terminals (VGTs), and fantasy competitions brought in a cumulative $5,211,303,191 in 2010, up almost half a billion from the year before, according to the PGCB. Revenue from slot machines […]

WynnBET Casino Receives Approval for Pennsylvania License

WynnBET’s application for a license to operate as an interactive gaming operator was granted by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board at their monthly meeting last Wednesday. WynnBET Casino backers in the state have been waiting since October 2021, when the company originally submitted its iGaming application for an online gaming license. With this green light […]

PGCB Launches Campaign for Gambling Adults Who Leave Minors Behind

This year, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has noticed an uptick in the number of instances when individuals have left their children behind while they gambled. Consequently, the gaming board has launched a fresh initiative to address the problem. The purpose of the PGCB’s “Don’t Gamble with Kids” campaign is to raise awareness and discourage […]

Similar Stories in Gambling

Pennsylvania Court Upholds Pace-O-Matic’s Skill Games as Legal

In 2021, the Monroe County District Attorney’s office conducted illegal raids on the firm and took possession of Pace-O-Matic’s (the company behind Pennsylvania Skill games) assets. Slot machines and other gambling hardware and cash were part of the confiscated property. Last week, Monroe County, Pennsylvania ruled a return of property case in favor of the […]

Parx Casino Sues Pennsylvania Skill Gaming Company

Parx Casino, located in Philadelphia, is arguably the most prosperous gambling operator in the state of Pennsylvania but the company believes that its profits would increase even further if the Commonwealth did not have any unregulated skill gaming machines. In the latest development, Parx Casino has taken POM to court in Philadelphia’s Court of Common […]

Pace-O-Matic Doubling Down on PA Lobbying Efforts?

During the summer, Wyoming hosts its most famous event, Cheyenne Frontier Days, which boasts of being one of the biggest outdoor rodeo and Western celebrations in the world. A professional bull-riding competition is just one of the many attractions of this year’s festival, which also features a music series, carnival, parade, cook-off, and air show. […]

Pennsylvania Brings In $429M in Gambling Revenue in July

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has just published the gaming revenue data for July, which shows a notable rise in comparison to July of the previous year. According to the findings of the survey, Pennsylvania’s gaming industry saw modest year-over-year growth. In July 2022, the state’s gaming authority reported $429.07 million in earnings from […]