Pennsylvania Democrats’ trifecta revives banned skill games push

Shapiro’s proposed 52% tax, opposed by operators, would reportedly raise almost $766m in its first year.

The hit

Pennsylvania’s skill game machines, ruled illegal slot machines since October, could get a legislative lifeline after last week’s midterms, according to Casino.org. Democrats will hold a governing trifecta in Harrisburg for the first time since 1993 when the General Assembly convenes on Jan. 5, removing the Senate Republican majority widely blamed for failing to coalesce around a single regulatory framework.

Why it matters

For operators & the thousands of bars, clubs & small businesses that hosted the machines, the political shift reopens a path to legal terminals next year rather than permanent removal. The fight now moves to tax rate: Governor Josh Shapiro wants a 52% cut, which skill game advocates call unfair, while casinos say unregulated machines cannibalise their slot revenue & question why they paid millions in licensing fees.

The record

Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling against skill games	June (Pennsylvania Supreme Court)
Safe harbour deadline that expired without a bill	Oct. 14
Estimated first-year revenue from Shapiro’s proposed tax	almost $766m (Governor’s office)
Compliance rate after police inspections since the ban	99.4%, 12,134 of 12,202 sites (Pennsylvania State Police)
New Senate majority from 2027	26-24 Democrat (Casino.org)

What happens next

Watch for a new skill games regulation bill when the Democratic trifecta convenes, & whether Shapiro’s tax proposal survives pushback from operators.

Sources: Pennsylvania Skill Games Poised to Benefit From 2026 Midterms

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