THE CENTER SQUARE \u2014 With a mid-October time frame in mind, law enforcement leaders in Pennsylvania are pondering the fate of an estimated 70,000 so-called \u201cskill games\u201d that the state\u2019s highest court has found to be illegal gambling machines.<\/p>\n
Pennsylvania State Police said in a statement issued Wednesday they will be \u201cprepared to act\u201d when the Oct. 13 effective date of the Supreme Court decision arrives, and the agency is still developing its enforcement plans in conjunction with local law enforcement. Meanwhile, Berks County District Attorney John Adams \u2013 who last month said he could either \u201crent some tractor-trailers and execute some search warrants\u201d or take a \u201cmore measured approach\u201d \u2013 on Wednesday said he hoped to be spared such a decision by action from state lawmakers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are hoping the Legislature reaches a decision,\u201d Adams said. \u201cThe Legislature has not acted on this problem for years, and they are throwing away money.\u201d<\/p>\n
He referred to\u00a0seemingly endless talk over a period of years\u00a0involving Republicans who control the Senate, Democrats who control the House, and the administration of Gov. Josh Shapiro, concerning the games that have proliferated in private clubs, bars, convenience stores, and other venues around the state. They are unregulated and untaxed and produce a lot of revenue.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0mid-June issuance by the Supreme Court of a ruling and opinion\u00a0in two separate appeals cases put the heat on lawmakers. While it essentially found the devices to be illegal slot machines, the court put a stay of 120 days on its decision to give lawmakers and Shapiro time to figure out a solution.<\/p>\n
So far, there is no public indication that is going to happen.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers are not scheduled to return to Harrisburg until late September.<\/p>\n
State police said they would act if the Legislature does not. The statement said the agency \u201cwill strongly encourage voluntary compliance with the court decision and offer a route for businesses and operators to voluntarily remove the machines.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adams, who also is a spokesman for the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, said there is no statewide plan among district attorneys in place for mid-October. In his own county, he said, he has already spoken to police chiefs.<\/p>\n
\u201cDistrict attorneys may have to approach this on a county-by-county basis as to how they are going to enforce the law,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
A spokesman for Attorney General Dave Sunday said the office would \u201cfollow the law\u201d when it comes to taking action on the machines.<\/p>\n
State police, he said, would \u201cobviously be a leading partner through their Liquor Control Enforcement Bureau. Our office would also handle asset forfeiture proceedings for assets the PSP seized. Local agencies would also have a role in this effort.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, the spokesman for the attorney general said, the hope \u201cis that most locations that currently House these illegal gaming devices would self-comply with the law.\u201d<\/p>\n
State police leaders were not immediately available for comment.<\/p>\n
Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo said he thinks the machines are in 10,000 different venues.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday \u2013 about seven weeks into the 120-day grace period set up by the court \u2013 Chardo said he thinks most places are \u201cjust continuing to make money\u201d rather than having the machines removed. He said he believed lawmakers would eventually resolve the issue, but he had no idea when.<\/p>\n
There is the possibility, Chardo said, that venue owners will just unplug machines. Should it come down to potential seizure, Chardo said, venues like American Legion or VFW posts that \u201csupport an important cause\u201d will have that fact taken into consideration in his county.<\/p>\n
In Allegheny County, First Assistant District Attorney Becky Spangler said that \u201cuntil the Legislature has had an opportunity to respond, allowing either the existing law to stand or setting forth new legislation governing this matter, we cannot speculate about the impact.\u201d The county, she said, would \u201cenforce as appropriate the final determination.\u201d<\/p>\n
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