The PA Supreme Court “Showdown” on Skill Games

The long-standing battle over Pennsylvania’s “skill games” has finally reached the finish line. The state’s highest court is expected to deliver a definitive ruling any day now on whether these machines—found in almost every corner store and bar—are legal skill-based devices or just “unregulated slot machines” in disguise.

• The Argument: State attorneys famously argued, “If it looks like a slot machine and plays like a slot machine, it is a slot machine.” Meanwhile, operators claim the “Follow Me” memory feature makes them winnable through talent, not luck.

• The Stakes: There are roughly 70,000 to 100,000 machines in limbo. If they’re ruled illegal, it could be the largest gaming “purge” in East Coast history.

🎰 Secondary Article: The $500 “Deterrent” Fee

While the state courts deliberate, local towns are taking matters into their own hands.

• Shenandoah’s Bold Move: On January 21, 2026, Shenandoah Borough voted unanimously to double its registration fee for skill games from $250 to $500 per machine.

• The Strategy: Local leaders admit the hike is a “deterrent” to keep businesses from adding more machines until the state legislature passes formal regulations.

🎟️ Drama: Philly & NYC Lottery’s “Missing Millionaires”

The New Year’s Millionaire Raffle in Pennsylvania created four instant millionaires on January 3, but the real drama is the silence.

• The Search: One of the winning $1 million tickets was sold at Manoa Beverage in Havertown (Delaware County), but as of late January, the winner has yet to come forward.

• NY Anonymity Debate: In New York, the drama continues over winner privacy. While PA allows some anonymity through trusts, NY’s push for a “Privacy Bill” has hit fresh snags in 2026, leaving major winners (like the current $266M Mega Millions hopefuls) worried about the “public shaming” of a giant check ceremony.