What to know as Pennsylvania’s skill games deadline takes effect

Skill game machines have been a hot topic in Harrisburg over the last several legislative sessions. After lower court decisions left the machines in a legal gray area, the games proliferated in bars, restaurants, social clubs and convenience stores, becoming a major revenue source for businesses and nonprofits alike. However, the machines also ginned up plenty of controversy, with opponents concerned that they increased access to gambling and even attracted crime. 

Despite calls from both sides of the aisle to regulate and tax the games, the issue ultimately stalled in the General Assembly. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court determined the machines to be illegal slot machines in a June 2026 ruling and delayed enforcement for 120 days, giving lawmakers an opportunity to develop a regulatory framework for the machines. 

But despite support from Democrats and Republicans, lawmakers did not consider skill games legislation during that 120-day period, meaning businesses that fail to voluntarily remove the machines by Oct. 13 will be subject to criminal penalties and could have their machines seized by law enforcement. 

With enforcement set to begin, here’s what to know about Pennsylvania’s skill game compliance deadline on Oct. 13.

Enforcement begins Wednesday, Oct. 14. 

The court’s 120-day safe harbor period for businesses and other locations hosting skill games ends Tuesday, Oct. 13, and Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies say they will begin enforcement the following day. 

After the deadline, only businesses licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board may operate slot machines, and businesses operating skill games without a license will be in violation of state law. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, “all establishments possessing, operating and/or maintaining such machines are subject to criminal prosecution and immediate seizure of the machines” as of Oct. 14. 

Businesses could face machine seizures, criminal charges and liquor license penalties

According to the State Police, businesses that continue to possess, distribute, operate or maintain skill game machines after the deadline could face a range of consequences.

The State Police said potential enforcement actions include seizing machines, seizing skill game proceeds, filing criminal charges and administrative citations against liquor licenses, which could result in fines and the loss of liquor licenses for bars and restaurants that fail to comply. 

Last month, Attorney General Dave Sunday encouraged businesses to voluntarily remove their machines ahead of the compliance deadline. 

“We do not want to see searches and seizures at storefronts or bar, social club and restaurant establishments – we would much rather business owners and social clubs comply with the law and take steps to get these illegal devices out of their places of business,” he said in a statement. 

Lawmakers could still act

This year’s legislative session is still going, and lawmakers in the General Assembly are set to return to Harrisburg for session on Monday, Oct. 19. 

During an Oct. 7 gubernatorial debate against Treasurer Stacy Garrity, Gov. Josh Shapiro urged lawmakers to return to Harrisburg and advance skill games legislation. “Lawmakers need to come back to Harrisburg. They need to stop campaigning and start focusing on their work – and they need to get this bill to my desk,” he said. To date, that hasn’t happened.

On Oct. 9, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied a last-ditch request to extend the deadline. Theoretically, lawmakers could still pass legislation to regulate and tax skill gaming machines when they return on Oct. 19. But by then, enforcement will have begun, and many businesses that have come to rely on the games will likely have already decided what to do with their machines.