PA Reports Almost Perfect Compliance After Illegal Skill Games Crackdown

Summary:

• Pennsylvania State Police reported a 99.4% compliance rate after visiting 12,202 businesses, with only 14 machines seized.
• Authorities warned that sweepstakes machines using alternative payment methods could still constitute illegal gambling.
• The enforcement campaign follows a June 15 Supreme Court ruling classifying skill-game terminals as illegal slot machines outside licensed gaming venues.

Authorities in Pennsylvania say almost all businesses that were targeted by a statewide enforcement campaign have accurately removed illegal skill-based gaming machines from their premises. Police reported a 99.4% compliance rate just over three weeks after enforcement began.

Impressive: Only 14 Machines Seized

According to the Pennsylvania State Police, officers have visited 12,202 establishments since October 14. Of those, 12,134 no longer had skill games on their premises. Police seized just 14 machines and $1,913 during the enforcement period.

In other words, the great majority of convenience stores, bars and other businesses complied with the order to remove the machines before facing potential criminal charges. However, authorities say the issue is not entirely resolved, with some operators attempting to introduce alternative gaming devices.

One particular concern raised by the authorities is related to the so-called sweepstakes machines which, as opposed to traditional skill-game terminals, do not accept cash directly. Therefore, their operators argue that alternative payment methods make them legal.

State authorities have said no to the idea that changing the payment system would automatically make a machine lawful, warning that these devices that rely on alternative payment methods could still fall under the state’s gambling prohibition.

“They Could Face Criminal Charges”

Police also pointed out that neither manufacturers nor operators had consulted law enforcement about the legality of these machines before installing them in businesses.

Distributors of these devices and establishments hosting them could face criminal charges for unlawful gambling and other related offenses if they continue operating these machines

Investigations are also continuing at locations that have refused to remove their skill games voluntarily. Authorities confirmed that these cases remain active and ongoing.

The crackdown follows a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling issued on June 15, which determined that skill-game terminals constitute illegal slot machines. Under the decision, gaming machines can only be operated at venues licensed by state gaming regulators.

The court also established a 120-day safe harbor period which will allow businesses to effectively remove the machines without facing prosecution.

That period expired on October 14, triggering the start of statewide enforcement.

Police have also emphasized the fact that the ruling goes beyond classic skill games. According to their interpretation, it covers devices and games whose outcomes depend on chance, skill or a combination of both, regardless of whether they use a random number generator or a finite pool of outcomes.