Pennsylvania Police Plan Statewide Skill-Game Seizures

Pennsylvania State Police say businesses must remove unlicensed skill-game machines by Oct. 13, 2026, after the state Supreme Court classified them as slot machines under state law; enforcement, including possible criminal charges and seizure of machines, equipment and proceeds, is set to begin Oct. 14. Simply unplugging or disabling a machine is not enough, and businesses are advised to arrange removal with vendors; liquor-license holders can seek help from the state’s liquor enforcement bureau, while others can contact local police or a State Police station. The deadline is approaching without a legislative agreement, though lawmakers have discussed proposals including a $500 monthly fee per machine, projected to generate about $700 million annually, and measures to extend the deadline. Officials estimate roughly 70,000 machines operate statewide, while state-regulated slot machines are limited to licensed casinos and qualifying truck stops.