Skill games now banned in Pennsylvania, except in casinos and truck stops

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WPVI) — Games of skill are now prohibited unless played at licensed casinos or truck stops in Pennsylvania.

The ban went into effect at midnight Oct. 14, meaning state police can remove active skill gaming machines from bars, convenience stores and nonprofit organizations.

Dollar Plus, in the University City section of Philadelphia, removed its three skill gaming machines last week.

Some Lehigh Valley businesses and nonprofits were also removing them Tuesday.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled over the summer that skill gaming machines are slot machines and therefore illegal outside of casinos and licensed truck stops.

The state legislature had 120 days to come up with a plan to tax and regulate them, but it was never done.