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Time is almost up for \u201cskill games\u201d in Pennsylvania<\/a>.<\/p>\n The slot machine-like devices have popped up in corner stores, bars, gas stations, and fraternal clubs across the state over the last decade. <\/p>\n But on Wednesday, law enforcement authorities could start seizing the machines, thanks to a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling<\/a> in June that said unlicensed skill devices are unlawful.<\/p>\n The high court paused its order<\/a> for four months, giving the public time to comply \u2014 and offering state lawmakers a chance to legalize, tax, and regulate the machines before the ruling takes effect. <\/p>\n \u00bb READ MORE: How \u2018skill games\u2019 exploded across Pennsylvania \u2014 and sparked a multimillion-dollar political fight<\/a><\/p>\n Lawmakers have yet to act \u2014 though several asked the Supreme Court to extend the enforcement deadline. The court denied that request on Friday.<\/p>\n Authorities are urging businesses that house the games to remove them from their premises. Unplugging the machines is not sufficient to comply with the law, officials said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe do not want to see searches and seizures at storefronts or bar, social club and restaurant establishments \u2014 we would much rather business owners and social clubs comply with the law and take steps to get these illegal devices out of their places of business,\u201d Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday<\/a> said in a Sept. 29 statement<\/a>. <\/p>\n Sunday\u2019s office represented the state in the litigation that led to the Supreme Court\u2019s decision, and it has maintained for years that skill machines are gambling devices that cannot legally operate without being subject to the same oversight as other forms of regulated gaming.<\/p>\n \u201cCollaborating with our law enforcement partners, my office will act in accordance with the law which prohibits these machines outside of licensed gaming facilities,\u201d Sunday said.<\/p>\n Authorities warned business owners, vendors, distributors, and manufacturers of the machines: Criminal charges could be filed \u201cwhere deemed appropriate.\u201d <\/p>\n Harrisburg observers are closely monitoring legislative developments, as legalizing and taxing the machines could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for the state. <\/p>\n Why are unlicensed skill games illegal? <\/p>\n Under state law, it is a criminal offense to own or operate a slot machine without a license issued by the state\u2019s gaming regulator, according to the Pennsylvania State Police. <\/p>\n For years, skill game developers and operators marketed their products as legal games of skill \u2014 distinct from games of chance, like slot machines. Several state court rulings boosted this interpretation, helping the industry grow to an estimated 70,000 machines across Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n But the state Supreme Court disagreed, finding in June that a 2017 law clearly stated that a device can have a \u201cskill\u201d element and still be considered a slot machine.<\/p>\n Only casinos and truck stop establishments licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board can legally operate slot machines or video gaming terminals, the state police said<\/a>.<\/p>\n What\u2019s going on in Harrisburg? <\/p>\n Pennsylvania\u2019s politically divided state government has been at odds over whether and how to authorize and regulate skill games.<\/p>\n Gov. Josh Shapiro<\/a>, a Democrat, in his most recent budget proposed a 52% tax on gross skill game revenues \u2014 in line with the rate that applies to casino slot machines. The skill game industry says that would harm small businesses.<\/p>\n That proposal was not included in the budget Shapiro signed into law in July<\/a>. <\/p>\n After recessing for the summer, lawmakers in the House and Senate returned to Harrisburg in September but left this week without taking action on skill games. They will return for a few days the week of Oct. 19 before recessing until after the election.<\/p>\n Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana) said in September that lawmakers had made progress on the issue back in June. That changed, he said, when the Democratic-led House tied the skill game issue to funding for public transit.<\/p>\n \u201cTo me, it makes no sense to be arguing over dollars that don\u2019t yet exist. We need to build the marketplace,\u201d Pittman told NBC10<\/a>, adding that the money should go to the general fund. At a later point, he said, lawmakers can \u201chave a conversation on how to best utilize the revenues.\u201d<\/p>\n House Democrats<\/a> are \u201cwilling and eager\u201d to resolve the skill game issue and create the new revenue stream, spokesperson Beth Rementer said in a statement. <\/p>\n \u201cBut Senate Republicans<\/a> must prove their ability to pass something,\u201d she added. House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery) has repeatedly deferred the issue to Senate Republicans, who previously asked House leaders to let them lead on it.<\/p>\n With no legislative breakthrough in sight, three lawmakers asked the state Supreme Court to extend the pause on its order through Feb. 10 \u2014 a request that, if granted, would have continued to temporarily protect skill game device owners and operators from law enforcement action. <\/p>\n