The Pennsylvania State Police will start confiscating unregistered skill game machines and filing criminal charges against businesses that continue to operate them on October 14.
Ahead of the enforcement date, the agency has advised affected establishments to remove the devices and all related equipment.
In guidance that state police posted online, the agency said businesses with unlicensed skill game machines should take out the devices along with any associated equipment, including ticket redemption terminals. According to police, switching off or unplugging operational machines does not meet the requirement.
“To be clear, a slot machine does not cease being a slot machine if it has simply been turned off, unplugged or temporarily disabled, allowing it to be readily operated,” police said.
Court ruling places machines under slot law
The enforcement follows a June decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which classified skill game machines as slot machines. That designation brings the devices under the approval and regulatory authority of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
The machines are commonly located in taverns, restaurants, gas stations, laundromats, and grocery stores.
Under state law, only licensed casinos and qualifying “truck stop establishments” may legally operate slot machines or video gaming terminals.
Charges await vendors that refuse removal
Distributors, vendors and manufacturers that decline to remove their slot machines may be subject to criminal charges. When vendors or distributors will not take the machines away, businesses should contact state police, the agency said. Liquor license holders that need help with a skill game device may also reach out to the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement.
Businesses that keep unlicensed machines running past October 14 could also face the seizure of proceeds tied to the games, and liquor license holders could receive administrative citations, according to police.
Legislators had until October 13 to revise state gaming laws and set new tax and licensing terms for skill game machines. The legislature has not reached a deal, although several proposals have addressed tax rates, fees, and caps on the number of machines each business may hold.
The allocation of potential tax revenue has been a point of contention for some lawmakers, including a debate over whether part of the funds could support public transit agencies such as SEPTA.