Pennsylvania is preparing to crack down on the skill games sector as the stay on a Supreme Court ruling is set to expire very soon. Violators will face harsh penalties.
Pennsylvania Prepares to Snuff Out Skill Gaming
The Pennsylvania skill games sector has been a point of contention for years. Proponents have long argued that, despite their similarity to slot machines, skill games actually have an element of aptitude that can potentially affect the result. As a result, such machines have become a common sight at gas stations, since they do not require a license. For reference, skill games allow players to choose the paylines.
At the same time, opponents have argued that the alleged skill element is not legally significant. As a result, a legal battle has been raging for years. It is now set to come to an end, however, as the PA Supreme Court ruled that skill games should be subjected to the same laws as gambling machines. This came shortly after the court ruled that the skill element is not relevant enough for skill games to be considered a separate vertical.
The ruling was subjected to a 120-day stay, which is set to expire on October 14. This means that once this date arrives, Pennsylvania will officially start to enforce the new rules and that would mean seizing skill games that have yet to be removed.
Authorities Advised Venues to Comply
The Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) confirmed that they are prepared to raid non-compliant venues and prosecute those who do not comply with the new rules.
The AG and the PSP emphasized that turning off the machines is not enough – instead, businesses must make sure to remove the machines from their premises. The PSP elaborated that violators can face criminal prosecution, including fines of up to $10,000 per violation and up to 5 years in prison.
The PSP also created a website where businesses with skill games can find relevant information about how to proceed and what risks they face if they choose not to comply with the law. It encouraged businesses that host such machines to familiarize themselves with the law and remove their skill games soon.
For reference, estimates say that there are currently as many as 70,000 skill games across Pennsylvania. While a separate effort seeks to legalize the machines, it is highly unlikely to pass into law before October 14.