Pennsylvania High Court Declares Skill-Based Gaming Machines Illegal Under State Law

Pennsylvania's top judicial panel has determined that machines promoted as requiring player skill fall under the legal category of slot machines, exposing operators to criminal penalties for unlawful gambling devices.

Pennsylvania High Court Declares Skill-Based Gaming Machines Illegal Under State Law

Pennsylvania's top judicial panel has determined that machines promoted as requiring player skill fall under the legal category of slot machines, exposing operators to criminal penalties for unlawful gambling devices.

The state's Supreme Court issued a ruling Monday that reversed previous appellate decisions which had permitted these gaming terminals to function without oversight from gambling regulators, as reported by Courthouse News Service.

According to the majority opinion, the devices satisfy the criteria for slot machines laid out in the commonwealth's Gaming Act. Consequently, they fall within the scope of criminal statutes banning illegal gambling apparatus.

To cushion the impact on enterprises that had depended on the earlier favorable judgments, the justices imposed a four-month delay before enforcement begins. Throughout this interim period, authorities are prohibited from pursuing operators.

The verdict represents a watershed moment for Pennsylvania's handling of the widespread skill-game terminals that have cropped up in taverns, eateries, and corner shops throughout the state.

Source: Courthouse News Service