Skills games have operated at businesses throughout the state with little oversight for some time, bringing cash influxes to area businesses and other groups.

In fact, many local organizations have said they rely on cash brought in by the machines and, according to a 2024 report, one Montgomery County fire company claimed extra funds generated by skills games helped pay for insurance costs and electric bills.

But, that new windfall ends when Wednesday arrives as the Pennsylvania State Police have said troopers plan to begin seizing these machines from businesses across the state on Oct. 14, 2026.

Earlier this month, after announcing a plan to begin seizing skill game machines from businesses all across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, state police officials provided guidance for those who could be impacted by the upcoming effort.

The seizure plan comes after a ruling by the state Supreme Court in June that found these devices to be defined as “slot machines” under the state’s gaming act.

Because of this ruling, it will soon be illegal to operate these devices without a license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Law enforcement officials noted that, in Pennsylvania, only licensed casinos and, what officials called “qualifying, licensed truck stop establishments” would be permitted to possess, operate and maintain any slot machines or gaming terminals that have been inspected and approved for operation by the Pa. Gaming Control Board following the Oct. 13, 2026, deadline.

Before that ruling, skills games operated in a legal gray area for years with legislators long attempting to find ways to regulate and tax these devices.

Already enforcement of impending seizures of these devices had been paused for 120 days to give lawmakers more time to act, but that window closes when the clock strikes midnight on Tuesday.

Gov. Josh Shapiro has proposed a 52% tax on skills games, but Senate Republican leaders support something closer to a 35% tax rate.

Come midnight though, that conversation won’t matter as the devices will be prohibited statewide.

Ahead of Wednesday, Pa. State Police said those who could be impacted by the looming deadline can find guidance ahead of the seizures here.

And, officials said, those who have questions can use the following resources:

Establishments with a liquor license: Contact the local Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement office for assistance.

Establishments without a liquor license: Contact the local police department or PSP station for assistance.

After the deadline, state police officials said, it will be considered a criminal offense to maintain, assemble, set up, make, sell or lease slot machines unless they are licensed and authorized to do so by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Come Oct. 14, 2026, officials said, police will seize all “skill games” devices/slot machines located outside of PGCB-licensed businesses and all establishments possessing, operating and/or maintaining such machines will be subject to criminal prosecution.

Officials also said that other enforcement actions could be taken against businesses that continue to possess, operate and/or maintain such machines after that date.

Officials said simply powering off or unplugging the machines following the deadline will not be sufficient to avoid potential enforcement actions.

“To be clear, a slot machine does not cease being a slot machine if it has simply been turned off, unplugged, or temporarily disabled (including the removal of any hardware or software that may simply be replaced), allowing it to be readily operated,” police said in a statement.

If a distributor or vendor is unwilling to remove a machine at any establishment, officials said, business owners should contact the Pennsylvania State Police or the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement through resources available here.