So-called “skill games” have been a source of debate in Pennsylvania for years, centering around one particular question: Are they gambling?
Whether one believes skill games qualify as gambling machines or not, in part because there are no safety regulations for them, the games can pose risks to players.
The issue of the legality of the slot-like machines under Pennsylvania’s gaming laws reached the state’s Supreme Court last Thursday, when justices heard arguments from both sides. The case was brought to the court as a result of appeals by the state attorney general’s office and the Department of Revenue.
Skill games, widely found in gas stations and corner stores, are presently not classified as gambling due to a second stage of the game where players can win back lost money.
