Skill Games Ruled Slot Machines in Pennsylvania

Casino

By lines

June 17, 2026

Pennsylvania skill games are now slot machines under state law. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued the ruling on June 15, 2026. The decision is a win for Pennsylvania’s licensed, taxed casino industry. Pennsylvania casinos argued for years that untaxed skill games stole slot revenue.

What the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Ruled

Justice David Wecht wrote the 66-page majority opinion for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Wecht said the General Assembly already defined the devices as slot machines. Wecht wrote the skill element is “not legally significant” under a 2017 statute. Wecht wrote the remedy “lies with the same legislative body” that wrote the laws.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court attached a 120-day stay to the June 2026 ruling. Skill games keep operating in Pennsylvania during the 120-day stay. The stay gives the Pennsylvania General Assembly time to write new rules. Pennsylvania hosts roughly 70,000 skill game machines, per Casino.org reporting.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday called the ruling a win for taxpayers. Sunday said the machines “operate as gambling devices” requiring oversight. Pace-O-Matic supplies most Pennsylvania skill games and called the decision disappointing. Pace-O-Matic backs Senate Bill 1079 and House Bill 2213 to tax skill games.

Spotlight PA reported that taxing skill games could generate over $1 billion annually. Pennsylvania lawmakers now weigh regulation before the 120-day stay expires.