Pennsylvania Attorney General Warns Businesses to Remove Skill Games Following Court Ruling
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is issuing a warning to businesses operating skill games, instructing them to remove the devices to avoid potential law enforcement action, in light of a state Supreme Court ruling deeming them illegal slot machines.
Harrisburg Lancaster Lebanon York, PA, September 29, 2026 —
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has issued a directive to businesses across the Commonwealth operating what are commonly known as “skill games.” The warning instructs these businesses to cease operation and remove the devices to preemptively avoid potential law enforcement action.
This advisory comes in the wake of a significant ruling by the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court. The court’s decision has categorized these skill games as illegal slot machines, thereby placing their operation in violation of state gambling laws.
In response to the court’s determination, Attorney General Sunday is urging businesses to comply voluntarily. The directive emphasizes that failing to remove the devices could lead to enforcement measures by law enforcement agencies. Specific details regarding the exact nature or scope of potential law enforcement actions were not immediately provided, nor were the names of specific businesses or the number of devices affected by this warning.
The ruling by the state’s highest court has created uncertainty for establishments that have incorporated these games into their operations. The core of the legal challenge has centered on whether the games truly depend on player skill or if they function primarily as unregulated gambling devices.
Businesses are advised to consult legal counsel regarding their specific situation and to take prompt action to remove any skill game machines from their premises to align with the recent judicial and executive guidance.
Story summarized from the original created by Brady Doran on www.abc27.com, see more information here.
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