Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Pennsylvania’s $50.8 billion 2026-27 budget on July 12, officially confirming what had been expected since earlier in the month: no deal on regulating or taxing skill games made it into the final package.
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For the fifth consecutive year, the budget for the fiscal year was late, and a resolution on skill games always looked like a long shot.
Exactly one month ago, the Supreme Court ruled that skill games are illegal, and gave lawmakers 120 days to come up with legislation. After that, law enforcement is able to seize machines that are found in bars, restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, and other businesses.
