Pennsylvania State Police are warning businesses that operate skill games that they have less than a month to remove the terminals to comply with a court ruling that deemed them illegal, or else the devices will be seized by state authorities.
PSP said they were issuing guidance and recommendations to help establishments with skill game machines prepare for the compliance deadline, which comes 120 days after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s June ruling that skill games are no different from slot machines and therefore must adhere to the same restrictions.
The gaming terminals, which people pay to play for a chance to win a profit, exploded in popularity among business owners and patrons over the past several years. They can be found in many convenience stores, bars, restaurants, veterans clubs, laundromats, recreational establishments and other businesses in Franklin County and throughout the Commonwealth.
Skill game terminals are seen at Adolini’s Family Billiards, the pool-focused business tied to Break Away Sports Lounge in Waynesboro.
Starting Oct. 13., however, only licensed casinos and qualifying “truck stop establishments” will be allowed by law to possess, operate or maintain skill games, according to state police. Seizures will begin the next day at other establishments.
“The PSP and other law enforcement agencies may take enforcement action against businesses which continue to possess, operate and/or maintain such machines after that date. Enforcement actions may include seizing and forfeiting the machines, associated equipment and money associated with the operation of the machines and/or filing criminal charges where deemed appropriate,” the law enforcement agency said.
Police “strongly recommend” that business owners communicate with skill-game distributors and vendors to coordinate the removal of the devices. Businesses are encouraged to contact PSP if a distributor or vendor will not provide assistance.
“Simply powering off an otherwise operable machine or unplugging them is not sufficient to comply with the law,” PSP added.
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The loss of revenue from skill games will hit hard, at best, for many small businesses. The owners of Blondie’s Tavern in Rouzerville and Break Away Sports Lounge in Waynesboro previously told the Public Opinion the money from skill games has been a lifeline in recent years as they have contended with rising operating costs and changing habits.
Blondie’s Bob Backner and Break Away’s Paul Adolini shared their support for bipartisan legislation that would establish a regulatory framework, protect small business and generate tax revenue for Pennsylvania.
Representatives of Miele Manufacturing, a maker of skill games in Pennsylvania, and manufacturer/distributor Pace-o-Matic traveled around the state this year to lobby for Senate Bill 1079 and House Bill 2213. The legislation would require skill game operators to pay a monthly tax of $500 off the revenue of each machine, which proponents say would generate $300 million in immediate tax revenue.
The companies urged business owners, fraternal organizations and other supporters to contact their state lawmakers and push for legislation to be passed before the Oct. 13 deadline.
Both bills have been sitting in committees for months.
Amber South can be reached at asouth@publicopinionnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: Pennsylvania businesses have a month to comply with skill game ruling