Legal Battle Is Not OverĪccording to Commonwealth Court documents detailing the judge’s decision: “The POM machines are not slot machines as commonly defined, and we decline to import a broad definition used to regulate legal gambling into this criminal statute … In light of our conclusion that the POM machines are not slot machines under the Crimes Code, we need not resolve this further dispute of the parties. The Attorney General’s office says they were slot machines used for gambling purposes like the ones found at many PA online casinos - a result determined by chance - which were prohibited. It was then argued by the defendants in court that the devices were games of skill. No criminal charges were filed but the bar was issued a citation for permitting gambling. The decision in Commonwealth Court originated from the seizure of three “Pace-O-Matic (POM)” skill amusement devices and $525 in currency from Champions Bar in December of 2019. The games are typically found in bars, gas stations and convenience stores. Skill games like poker, blackjack, and rummy involve strategy and proficiency, and are not purely games of chance. The issue around whether skill games are legal or not has been going on in Pennsylvania for years. “ We intend to seek review in the Supreme Court,” the spokesperson said. A spokesperson from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office said they intend to take a Commonwealth Court decision ruling that skill games in the state are legal games of skill to the next level.

Ohio used slot machines