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Pennsylvania Court Rules In Favor Of Skill Games Legality

A Pennsylvania court ruled in favor of Pace-O-Matic returning the company’s wrongfully seized skill games property in Monroe County.

Pace-O-Matic justified in legally operating Pennsylvania skill games
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Katarina Vojvodic Avatar
3 mins read
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Pace-O-Matic announced it had won a return of property motion in Monroe County. The seized property features gaming machines, related equipment and cash. The gaming company that powers PA casinos skill games was wrongfully seized of property during raids led by the Monroe County District Attorney’s office in 2021.

The ruling also criticizes the district attorney’s office for its conduct in the matter. As part of the court’s order, Monroe County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer Harlacher Sibum wrote:

“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 applauds Pennsylvania’s court’s decision

Pace-O-Matic spokesman Mike Barley said: “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. We applaud the court’s decision, especially regarding the matter of protecting Pace-O-Matic’s intellectual property.”

Barley also added that the prosecutor’s behavior was egregious. “And we are deeply concerned about the motivation to disregard, bend and violate the law and our constitutional rights in a coordinated effort to harm our company and the small businesses, clubs and veterans groups that benefit from skill game revenue and support.

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 the active and driving force seeking additional regulation and taxation. We remain steadfast in our commitment to working with the state General Assembly and asking for legislation providing additional regulation and increased tax money for the state.”

Pace-O-Matic won previous cases

In 2014, the Beaver County Court of Common Pleas ruled that Pace-O-Matic’s Pennsylvania skill games are legal as games of predominant skill.

In 2022, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and the Clearfield County District Attorney’s office negotiated a settlement. They agreed to return wrongfully seized Pennsylvania skill games, equipment and cash.

After winning these cases, Pace-O-Matic saw an additional county return to Pennsylvania skill games.

Small businesses benefit from Pennsylvania skill games revenue

Through its business, Pennsylvania skill games have helped the Commonwealth’s small industries, social clubs and organizations. Pace-O-Matic believes it provided “an entertainment product that the public enjoys.”

More than 90% of Pennsylvania skill games profits remain within the state, as the games are manufactured in the commonwealth. Miele Manufacturing in Williamsport, the company that manufactures Pace-O-Matic’s products, hired nearly 200 people.

Moreover, Pennsylvania skill game revenue has supported fraternal clubs and veterans’ organizations across the Commonwealth. That includes American Legions, VFWs, and local fire companies.

Pace-O-Matic hired a team of police officers

To ensure compliance, Pace-O-Matic hired a group of former state police officers. Their main role was to enforce all terms of contracts and codes of conduct. These contracted terms limit the number of machines, carefully choosing a location with the necessary protections.

The company constantly strives to prevent anyone underage from playing on the devices.

Katarina Vojvodic Avatar
Written by

Katarina Vojvodic is a lead writer for PlayUSA who lives in Toronto. Vojvodic provides coverage of the US gambling industry with a focus on US online casinos. Previously, she covered Ontario’s online gambling industry for PlayCanada.com. Vojvodic holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Belgrade. Outside working hours, she can be found near the water with her husband and their two kids.

View all posts by Katarina Vojvodic

Katarina Vojvodic is a lead writer for PlayUSA who lives in Toronto. Vojvodic provides coverage of the US gambling industry with a focus on US online casinos. Previously, she covered Ontario’s online gambling industry for PlayCanada.com. Vojvodic holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Belgrade. Outside working hours, she can be found near the water with her husband and their two kids.

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