In 120 days, skill games will face the same rules and regulations as slot machines unless the General Assembly intervenes, thanks to a Pennsylvania Supreme Court Ruling.
On Monday, the Supreme Court justices ruled that skill games are basically slot machines in a more than 60-page court ruling.
In the majority opinion, justices wrote that the skill games are subject to the Gaming Act and the Crimes Code. Skill games meet the Commonwealth’s Court’s “common-meaning, ordinary English definition a coin-operated machine that
pays off according to matching symbols on wheels spun by a handle.”
The justices are giving a 120-day grace period for businesses that currently have skill games, and during that time, no law enforcement action will be taken. It also gives the General Assembly time to update the law.
An estimated 70,000 skill game machines are operating throughout the state, a number that exceeds our regulated casino slot machines, officials said.
Attorney General Dave Sunday, who has consistently shared the same arguments as the justices, released a statement following the ruling:
“Today’s ruling is a significant victory for consumers, taxpayers and the rule of law in Pennsylvania,” Attorney General Sunday said. “The Supreme Court recognized what our office has argued from the beginning these machines operate as gambling devices and cannot legally exist without the same oversight, regulation and accountability as other forms of legalized gaming in the Commonwealth. Pennsylvanians deserve protections that ensure games are fair, transparent and operated within the bounds of the law.”
Senate leaders also issued a statement, writing skill games are a public safety issue that needs to be addressed. “We believe gaming reform is a critical piece of resolving this year’s budget, In addition, with the fiscal realities facing our Commonwealth, it stands to reason that new revenue from gaming reform should be directed to the general fund, as the
Governor proposed in his 2026-27 budget.”
This is a battle that’s been ongoing for years and has been at the center of many political campaigns.
The Supreme Court heard arguments on the legality of skill game machines in November of 2025.