DALLAS, PA — Members and local leaders gathered at the American Legion Post 672 in Dallas on Wednesday for an information session addressing the impending statewide enforcement deadline for unregulated "skill game" terminals.
The meeting follows a landmark decision issued by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on June 15, which classified unregulated skill games as illegal "slot machines" under the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act and the state Crimes Code. The High Court placed a 120-day stay on its ruling, establishing an Oct. 13 deadline for operators to remove the devices or face criminal enforcement and forfeiture by the Pennsylvania State Police.
For social clubs, veterans' posts, and small establishments like the American Legion, the terminals represent a primary funding stream. Revenue generated from the machines directly supports facility upkeep, staffing, local fire departments, and community youth programs. Post representatives warned that losing the revenue would force lay-offs, rate hikes, or cuts to charitable contributions.
Establishments across the Commonwealth are calling on state lawmakers to pass regulatory legislation—specifically Senate Bill 1079 and its companion House Bill 2213—to establish a legal framework for the devices before the stay expires.
Under the proposed bipartisan bills:
- Operators would pay a $500 monthly licensing fee per machine.
- The Department of Revenue would oversee a statewide cap of 50,000 terminals.
- A percentage of gross revenue would be taxed and redirected to state and local funds.
With only six legislative session days remaining on the calendar for the House Gaming Oversight Committee to advance the bills before Oct. 13, small business advocates and fraternal groups are lobbying lawmakers to send the compromise measure to Governor Josh Shapiro's desk. If the legislature fails to act before the deadline, state law enforcement will move forward with confiscating unlicensed terminals across Pennsylvania.
