A Pennsylvanian court has ruled that Pennsylvania Skill, powered by Pace-O-Matic, is a legal game of skill. This ruling was an important victory for Pace-O-Matic as it won a return of property motion in Monroe County, affirming it has lawful possession of its games, some of which had been seized by the District Attorney’s (DA) office.
The ruling was made in response to a challenge from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), which sought to classify Pennsylvania Skill as a form of illegal gambling. However, the court ruled that the game is legal as it requires players to make decisions and use strategies in order to win.
Pace-O-Matic spokesman Mike Barley commented: “This ruling reaffirms our status as legal games of skill. This is another tremendous victory for Pennsylvania Skill games, powered by Pace-O-Matic and our Pennsylvania small business and fraternal partners.”
The court noted that the game’s rules, which require players to select numbers and determine their own wagers, render it a game of skill. It also noted that Pace-O-Matic has systems in place to ensure the fairness and integrity of the game, such as random number generators and independent audits.
The ruling further castigated the DA’s office for its conduct in the matter. Monroe County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer Harlacher Sibum commented: “The court finds that the Commonwealth improperly withheld and misrepresented material evidence relative to the issuance of the search warrant in this matter and that such conduct warrants the suppression of the seized property.”
Barley applauded this ruling, saying: “Every time the legality of our skill games has been called into question, the legal status of our games has been upheld by the judiciary. Pace-O-Matic stands out among our competitors as an active and driving force seeking additional regulation and taxation.”
