Many other game manufacturers are pushing "games of skill" that have not been approved by a Pennsylvania court. Just because the game says "Skill" on the outside, it's what's inside that the courts use to determine if it's a gambling device or not. Don't be fooled by these so called "Skill Games."
These "skill games" have been found by Pennsylvania courts to be gambling devices. Despite the rulings, many of these machines are being operated in PA locations by operators that don't mind putting location owners at risk of criminal prosecution.
The following rulings provide solid grounding to assure our operators feel comfortable providing Pennsylvania Skill games to their customer base:
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Commonwealth Court Nov. 20, 2019:
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Attorneys representing Pace-O-Matic of Pennsylvania (POM of PA) received an opinion from a statewide appellate court based on litigation presented against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and the City of Philadelphia. The appellate court states that Pennsylvania Skill Games are not regulated by the Gaming Act, as argued by the state.
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It was ruled that the enforcement of illegal gambling devices is a criminal matter and is the responsibility of the Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Liquor Control and Enforcement.
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There are only two skill games that have been approved by a court in Pennsylvania and can operate with out risk of criminal prosecution:
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Pennsylvania Skill Powered by Pace-O-Matic
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Red, White and Blue Mechanical Slot Machine
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This court ruling for Pace-O-Matic or Red, White, & Blue only covers these machines. If a machine operator tells you that the machine they are using does the same thing and is covered under that court ruling, they are being dishonest and putting you in harm's way of criminal prosecution.
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Pace-O-Matic's Pennsylvania Skill amusement devices also have been found to be predominately games of skill by the Beaver County Court of Common Pleas.
In the instance you are visiting the Pennsylvania Skill website due to correspondence sent by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, also known as the PLCB, please know these claims are false.
Officials from the Pennsylvania Governor's office and PLCB have indicated that an operator's liquor license will not be affected by having Pace-O-Matic's legal Pennsylvania Skill amusement devices in your establishment. In regards to this decision, POM of PA's attorney has provided an outline regarding Pennsylvania Skill device's legal status.
POM of PA and Pennsylvania Skill's legal status will not change unless there is another legal decision or a change in law by state legislature.
Pennsylvania Skill is manufactured and distributed in PA by Miele Manufacturing and powered by Pace-O-Matic.