The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled on Monday that skill games are slot machines and must adhere to the state’s gambling laws.
Despite the ruling, the court said law enforcement can’t take any action for 120 days, giving the legislature time to come up with regulations.
There are approximately 70,000 skill game machines across bars, clubs and gas stations in Pennsylvania.
According to Spotlight PA, taxing skill games as part of new regulations could bring in more than $1 billion dollars annually.
Attorney General Dave Sunday issued the following statement in response to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling of “skill games” as illegal under the current state Crimes Code and Gaming Act.
The ruling follows arguments made by the Office of Attorney General before the Court in November 2025 that the electronic machines — found in numerous convenience stories, bar/restaurants, and other establishments across the Commonwealth — operate as unlicensed and unregulated slot machines.
The Office of Attorney General argued that embedding an element of so-called skill into the games does not exempt the devices from Pennsylvania gambling laws.
“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.”
