Taverns, gas stations and restaurants in Whitemarsh, Plymouth and Whitpain townships must remove skill game machines by Oct. 13 or face criminal charges from Pennsylvania State Police.
State police issued guidance on Sept. 9 warning that enforcement will begin Wednesday, Oct. 14, unless the legislature acts first. The agency said businesses possessing, operating or maintaining the machines after that date face criminal prosecution and immediate seizure of the devices, associated equipment and any money tied to their operation.
The deadline stems from a June 15 Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that classified skill games as slot machines under state law. The court gave the legislature 120 days to create a regulatory framework.
That window closes Tuesday, Oct. 13.
70,000 machines statewide
An estimated 70,000 skill game terminals operate across Pennsylvania in taverns, restaurants, social clubs, gas stations, mini-marts, laundromats and other small businesses, according to the state Attorney General's Office. Each machine generates an average of $47,000 per year, according to the Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office.
State police stressed that unplugging or powering off a machine does not count as compliance. The machines must be physically removed from the premises, KDKA Radio reported. If a vendor or distributor refuses to pick up its equipment, state police said business owners should contact the agency through pa.gov to arrange removal.
Legislature has six voting days left
State lawmakers failed to include a skill games fix in the fiscal year 2027 budget passed over the summer, then left Harrisburg for recess. Both chambers return Sept. 28 with six scheduled voting days before the deadline: Sept. 28–30 and Oct. 5–7, CNHI News reported.
Multiple bills have been introduced but none has advanced. Proposals range from a 16% to 52% tax on gross revenue. One bill, House Bill 2213, introduced by state Rep. Danilo Burgos of Philadelphia with 42 co-sponsors, would charge a $500-per-month flat fee per terminal, cap the statewide total at 50,000 machines and was projected to generate $300 million annually, according to CDC Gaming.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has proposed taxing skill games at 52% of gross gaming revenue, close to the rate casinos pay on slots.
"We don't want to take away an opportunity for revenue streams for small businesses, but you also want to make sure consumers are protected," state Rep. Pat Gallagher said at an Aug. 20 press conference in Philadelphia, as WHYY reported.
Prospects for a deal dimmed further in spring 2026 when Pace-O-Matic, the Georgia-based company that develops skill game software, funded primary campaigns against state Senate Republicans who had been open to compromise, PennLive reported. PennLive reported that many influential legislators have indicated they are comfortable letting the machines be removed if no agreement is reached.
The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association has advised its members to begin scheduling removal dates ahead of the Oct. 13 deadline, according to ABC27.
Pace-O-Matic said in a Sept. 9 statement that it will abide by the court-imposed deadline and that its operators are prepared to turn off machines if needed. The company warned that losing skill game revenue could force some American Legions, VFWs, volunteer fire companies and small businesses to lay off staff or close.
Business owners in the three townships who still have skill game machines on their premises can contact Pennsylvania State Police through pa.gov to arrange removal before Oct. 14.
