On October 14, 2026, video betting terminals known as “skill games” will become illegal in Pennsylvania, following a ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that classified these devices as indistinguishable from slot machines. The court’s decision prompted law enforcement to warn businesses to remove these machines, or face criminal charges. The ruling allows only licensed casinos and truck stops to operate video gambling terminals, while all others must cease their activities.
Pennsylvania State Police have urged business owners to coordinate the removal of these devices with their distributors, emphasizing that merely unplugging the machines will not suffice. Approximately 70,000 machines have been estimated to be in operation statewide, and there are ongoing debates over the impact of these devices on local neighborhoods, with some officials labeling them as predatory.
Despite proposals to legalize and tax skill games, no legislation has successfully passed the politically divided state legislature.
