Skill games in Pennsylvania score a win as court upholds decision they’re not illegal gambling

Skill games in Pennsylvania score a win as court upholds decision they’re not illegal gambling

Article brief provided by WGAL-TV
  • Tom Lehman, WGAL-TV
December 2, 2023 12:03 PM

Commonwealth Court on Thursday upheld a lower court ruling deeming “skill games” played for monetary winnings to be legal, notching a major win for makers and operators of the devices that have become commonplace in Pennsylvania restaurants, bars, and gas stations.

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The 7-0 decision affirmed a Dauphin County court decision declaring the devices to not be slot machines or illegal gambling devices that could be seized by police because the games are based on hand-eye coordination rather than chance. A spokesman for the state attorney general’s office indicated the decision is likely to be appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

But for now, the appellate court’s decision means businesses and nonprofits can continue to offer customers a chance to play for money on the devices, which resemble slot machines found in casinos.