Harrisburg, Pa. — Pa. businesses that still have “skill games” terminals on their premises after Oct. 14 risk law enforcement action, including seizure of the machines and possible criminal charges, according to the Pa. Office of Attorney General.
Attorney General Dave Sunday is advising business owners with the terminals to take compliance steps by Oct. 14 to avoid enforcement at their businesses. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court found in June that the so-called “skill games” are slot machines as defined by the Commonwealth’s Gaming Act, the attorney general’s office said.
Under the law, video game devices not housed at licensed casinos or licensed truck stops in Pennsylvania can be seized by law enforcement officials.
Enforcement under the high court’s ruling begins Oct. 14.
“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,” Sunday said. “Collaborating with our law enforcement partners, my office will act in accordance with the law which prohibits these machines outside of licensed gaming facilities.”
Unless the Pennsylvania Legislature acts before Oct. 14, Pennsylvania State Police and other law enforcement agencies may take enforcement action against businesses that continue to possess, operate, or maintain the machines after that date, the office said.
Enforcement may include seizing and forfeiting the machines, associated equipment, and money tied to their operation, as well as filing criminal charges where deemed appropriate.
Distributors, vendors, and manufacturers that refuse to remove their machines from businesses could also face criminal charges if they continue to maintain the devices for operation, according to the release.
Powering off or unplugging the machines is not enough to comply with the law, the office said.
A slot machine does not stop being a slot machine if it has simply been turned off, unplugged, or temporarily disabled in a way that still allows it to be readily operated, according to the attorney general’s office.
The office is encouraging businesses to contact their vendors or distributors and demand that the devices be removed from their premises to avoid law enforcement action.
More information is available from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
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