Local News

House members propose skill games extension

There appears to be at least a bit of bipartisan desire to extend a looming deadline to enforce a court decision that would eliminate skill games from businesses and non-profit organizations around the state.

Rep. Manny Guzman, D-Reading, and Rep. Brad Roae, R-Meadville, that would give state lawmakers more time to pass legislation that brings the state into compliance with a June 15 state Supreme Court ruling that states all "skill game" machines in the state must be either licensed by the state Gaming Control Board or removed. Roae has introduced HB 2795, which would give an extension until April 13, 2027, while Guzman's House Bill 2793 also pushes enforcement of the court's decision to April 13, 2027.

The lawmakers have different ways of accomplishing their extension.

Guzman proposes simply keepin teh current transition period in place until April 13, 2027, to avoid an abrupt change while the legislature continues deliberations.

"The General Assembly is actively considering how skill games should be addressed under state law, including questions involving regulation, taxation, licensing, enforcement, consumer protections, and the appropriate locations for these devices," Guzman said in his co-sponsorship memorandum. "However, with October 13 quickly approaching, Pennsylvania also faces the possibility that no comprehensive legislative framework will be enacted before the current period expires."

Roae, on the other hand, proposes legislation to make skill games legal by adding a new category of slot machines called skill games, and exempting skill games from taxes and regulations that are applied to slot machines. Roae would also temporarily allow skill games to be in any location, not just casinos, which is what the court has done with its four-month deadline for the state to take action. Roae would have his legislation expire on April 13, 2027, when a permanent solution should be reached.

"With a very limited number of scheduled voting session days between now and October 13, 2026 and no consensus yet, more time is likely needed to get it done. Even if you think a permanent solution can be agreed to by the October 13, 2026 deadline, please consider the benefit of having this in place as a backup plan," Roae wrote in his co-sponsorship memorandum. "Volunteer fire department clubs, Elks Lodges, VFW Posts, etc. depend on skill games revenue to provide services to the community. Local small businesses include skill games revenue in their business models in their challenge to make sure that revenue exceeds expenses and they can keep their doors open. The skill games industry is responsible for many jobs manufacturing the machines and servicing them. If the October 13, 2026 date arrives with no new law, the impact will be very bad."

The Pennsylvania State Police issued a reminder to businesses and establishments that continue to operate “skill game” machines about the upcoming Oct. 13 compliance deadline following the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s recent decision. On June 15, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruled that skill games, often found in taverns, restaurants, social clubs, mini-marts, gas stations, grocery stores, laundromats, pizza parlors, and other businesses, are in fact “slot machines” as defined in the Gaming Act. Slot machines are considered gambling devices under the Crimes Code, and a person commits a criminal offense by owning, operating, or maintaining slot machines without a license issued by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB). Only licensed casinos and qualifying licensed “truck stop establishments” may legally possess and operate slot machines or video gaming terminals that have been inspected and approved for operation by the PGCB.

All “skill games” devices/slot machines located outside of PGCB-licensed businesses are unlawful and all establishments possessing, operating and/or maintaining such machines are subject to criminal prosecution and immediate seizure of the machines as of Oct. 14. The State Police and other law enforcement agencies may take enforcement action against businesses which continue to possess, operate and/or maintain such machines after that date. Enforcement actions may include seizing and forfeiting the machines, associated equipment and proceeds associated with the operation of the machines and/or filing criminal charges when deemed appropriate.

The American Legion Department of Pennsylvania Executive Committee voted unanimously recently to join PlayPA for Charity, a coalition advocating for the modernization of Pennsylvania's Small Games of Chance Law. The legion joins the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Association of Nationally Chartered Organizations, and the Pennsylvania Federation of Fraternal and Social Organizations as supporters of Play PA for Charity.

"Small games of chance are a vital resource for our posts in Pennsylvania, helping sustain their operations and support the communities they serve," said Jon A. Hosfeld, state commander of the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania. "Electronic pull tabs represent a critical opportunity to give our posts another way to raise funds for the programs, services, and charitable initiatives their communities depend on. We support PlayPA for Charity’s efforts to modernize charitable gaming and bring e-tabs to Pennsylvania. We’ve seen the tremendous impact this work has had on American Legion Departments in neighboring states, and we know it will help here as well."