Pennsylvania businesses and clubs that host skill game machines must have them removed by Tuesday, Oct. 13, or face seizure and possible criminal charges starting Wednesday, Oct. 14, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

The deadline applies statewide, including to any tavern, restaurant, social club, convenience store or gas station in the Conneaut Valley that has the machines. The state police notice does not say how many machines are in Crawford County. The Attorney General’s Office estimates 70,000 operate statewide.

The state Supreme Court ruled June 15 that skill games are slot machines under state law, which makes them illegal outside licensed casinos and qualifying licensed truck stops. The court delayed enforcement for 120 days, a period that ends Oct. 13.

What happens after the deadline

State police say businesses that still possess, operate or maintain the machines are subject to criminal prosecution and immediate seizure as of Oct. 14. Enforcement can include:

• Seizure and forfeiture of the machines and related equipment

• Seizure of proceeds tied to the machines

• Criminal charges

• For liquor license holders, an administrative citation that can bring a fine, a license suspension or both

Distributors, vendors and manufacturers that refuse to remove machines also face potential criminal charges, according to the notice.

What to do

• Ask the distributor or vendor that owns the machines to remove them, along with related equipment such as ticket redemption terminals.

• Do not rely on switching a machine off. State police say powering off, unplugging or temporarily disabling a working machine is not removal.

• If the vendor will not remove the machines, state police encourage the business to contact them for help with removal.

• Businesses with a liquor license: Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, Erie office, 8349 Perry Highway, Erie, 814-217-0001. The office covers Crawford County.

• Businesses without a liquor license: Pennsylvania State Police, Meadville station, 11025 Murray Road, Meadville, 814-332-6911.

Limitations

• No extension. The Supreme Court on Oct. 9 denied a request from three state lawmakers to extend the deadline.

• No new law. The General Assembly did not pass skill games legislation during the 120 days and is next scheduled to be in session Oct. 19, after enforcement begins.

• No exemption listed for clubs. The notice names social clubs among the affected locations and lists no exception for nonprofit organizations.

• No local schedule. The notice does not say when or where enforcement will begin in Crawford County.

Background

The ruling reversed two Commonwealth Court decisions that had left skill games outside both the Gaming Act and the Crimes Code. In the court’s opinion, Justice David Wecht wrote that the order was stayed because many business owners had reasonably relied on those decisions, and that the General Assembly remained free to change the law. The Crimes Code section at issue makes it a first-degree misdemeanor to knowingly set up or maintain a slot machine outside the licensed system.