Monroe County rules Pennsylvania Skill games legal

Pace-O-Matic has won another return of property motion for its Pennsylvania Skill Games, but still seeks legislation to regulate and tax them.

Judge Jonathan Mark of Pennsylvania’s Monroe County Court of Common Pleas has ruled that Pennsylvania Skill Games are officially, “games of skill and not chance.” In 2022, the company’s games were seized by the Monroe Court District Attorney’s office and the Bureau of Liquor Control and Enforcement (BLCE).

Monroe County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer Harlacher Sibum wrote in the court order, “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.”

Pace-O-Matic, the company behind Pennsylvania Skill Games, won a return of property motion in York County for its previously seized games, and in March it also won a return of property motion in a Dauphin County court. Both wins were after an initial ruling in February, and return of property motion, in Monroe County.

Pennsylvania Skill games have now been ruled “games of predominant skill” by courts in Beaver, Dauphin, Monroe and York County, Pennsylvania. Games have also been returned in both Clearfield and Delaware counties.

Pace-O-Matic manufactures its games within the state and over 90% of its profits stay within Pennsylvania. The company aims to keep providing its games to small businesses, local clubs and organizations, as well as plans to keep preventions in place against underage gameplay.

Pace-O-Matic’s Chief Public Affairs Officer Mike Barley said, “With the legality of our games upheld repeatedly, we are eager to work with the Legislature to pass legislation that will fairly regulate and tax the skill game industry.”

Senator Gene Yaw has introduced such a bill, which would both regulate and tax skill games, with the prediction of taxation generating $300m annually for the state.

Stephanie Feeley

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