Compliance Updates

Pace-O-Matic Secures Another Legal Victory in Pennsylvania

Published

2 years ago

March 28, 2023

Pace-O-Matic announced the company won a return of property motion in Dauphin County. This property – gaming machines, related equipment, and cash – was wrongfully seized during raids conducted by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Liquor Control and Enforcement (BLCE) in 2019.

“First and foremost, this ruling again 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,” said Pace-O-Matic spokesman Mike Barley.

The ruling also castigates the Commonwealth and BLCE for their biased conduct in the matter.

Dauphin County Common Pleas Judge Andrew H. Dowling wrote: “All three of the Commonwealth witnesses opined that the games were predominantly games of chance. However, we do not find these opinions to be persuasive for a number of reasons. Initially, it is this Court’s belief that the Commonwealth’s investigation shows case bias. The Commonwealth is seeking to make all machines like the POM Machines into illegal gambling devices, and their whole approach and intent is to shut down games regardless of the actual gameplay. The fact that Officer Wentsler never played the Follow Me feature while undercover is indicative of this. Thus, the Commonwealth as a whole is biased against the games, and their approach lacks case credibility.”

This is the second court in as many months to rule the games were legal games of skill and allege misconduct in the investigation and prosecution of legal skill games.

Last month, 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.”

Barley said: “We applaud the most recent court’s decision, especially for highlighting the extreme level of bias shown by the Commonwealth against a legal product. The behavior of the BLCE agents and prosecutors, in this case, has been 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, fire halls 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 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.”

Pennsylvania Skill has pumped new life into the commonwealth’s small businesses, fraternal and social clubs, and veterans’ organizations by providing them with an entertainment product that the public enjoys. Meanwhile, research data proves skill games do not impact the revenue of casinos and the lottery, both of which are achieving record profits year after year.

Stake - Best Online Casino & Sports Betting Platform

Pennsylvania Skill games are manufactured in the commonwealth, and over 90% of the profits stay inside the state. That is unheard of in gaming and many other industries.

Pace-O-Matic’s Pennsylvania Skill products are manufactured by Miele Manufacturing in Williamsport, which has created nearly 200 direct jobs. Many of the materials used to make up the gaming machines come from companies in the Commonwealth. Additionally, Pennsylvania Skill game revenue has become a lifeline to fraternal clubs and organizations across the commonwealth, including American Legions, VFWs, and local fire companies.

As part of ongoing efforts to ensure compliance, Pace-O-Matic employs a team of former state police officers to enforce all terms of contracts and codes of conduct. These contracted terms limit the number of machines, where they are placed in a location and have protections in place to prevent anyone underage from playing the devices.

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 addition, last year, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and the Clearfield County District Attorney’s office negotiated a settlement to return wrongfully seized Pennsylvania Skill games, related equipment, and cash.

Up Next

Top 6 AGS Highlights at the Indian Gaming Association Trade Show and Convention

Don't Miss

CT Interactive Representative to Attend GAT Expo 2023

Compliance Updates

Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) Joins Congressional Leaders to Reintroduce SAFE Bet Act Ahead of March Madness

Published

2 days ago

March 13, 2025

Niji Narayan

The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) at Northeastern University School of Law supports Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) as they reintroduced the SAFE Bet Act, which addresses the risks associated with legalized gambling.

As of 2025, 39 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting, but the necessary safeguards are not in place to address the public health risks that legalizing sports betting creates. The SAFE Bet Act, first introduced in September 2024, addresses those public health concerns.

The SAFE Bet Act establishes federal standards while preserving the opportunity for anyone who wishes to participate in legal sports betting. These standards will address advertising, affordability, and artificial intelligence issues.

Director of Gambling Policy at PHAI, Dr. Harry Levant, said: “The rapid and unprecedented expansion of the gambling industry has resulted in a public health crisis the scope of which we are only beginning to recognize.”

“Once unthinkable partnerships between the gambling industry, professional and collegiate sports, broadcast media, and technology companies have resulted in the delivery of non-stop gambling action on virtually every phone, tablet, computer, and television. Gambling is a known addictive product, and the 2025 SAFE Bet Act protects the public by replacing the ethically flawed ‘responsible gaming’ model with comprehensive public health solutions designed to prevent gambling-related harm,” Levant added.

“Like cigarettes, online sports gambling apps are a highly addictive product designed to entrap consumers into compulsive use, robbing them of free choice as well their money. The Safe Bets Act aims, among other things, to eliminate the predatory features of current sports betting apps, still allowing users to bet on the game but not to bet compulsively instead of even watching the game,” said PHAI President and Professor of Law at Northeastern University, Richard Daynard.

“Where there is a public health problem, there needs to be a public health solution. At PHAI, we understand that blaming the people who are struggling with gambling and referring to them as ‘irresponsible’ consumers is not a public health solution. The 2025 SAFE Bet Act recognizes that the government needs to take a more active role when dealing with the new high-intensity sports gambling products that are causing so much pain today. The SAFE Bet Act is a public health solution,” said Mark Gottlieb, Executive Director of PHAI.

Compliance Updates

PrizePicks Becomes the First Fantasy Sports Operator to Earn iCAP Certification

Published

2 days ago

March 13, 2025

Niji Narayan

PrizePicks, the largest daily fantasy sports operator in North America, announced it has received Internet Compliance Assessment Program (iCAP) accreditation from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). PrizePicks is the first and only fantasy sports operator to receive the recognition. iCAP certification is granted to operators that meet the NCPG’s high standards for responsible gaming and consumer protection practices.

“This certification is a powerful recognition of the culture we’ve built at PrizePicks, and an incredible honor that underscores our unwavering commitment to putting player safety first. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the NCPG for their thorough evaluation, and to our exceptional team for setting the bar as an industry leader in responsible gaming,” said Mike Ybarra, CEO of PrizePicks.

Developed by the NCPG, iCAP is the leading online responsible gaming assessment program in the US. The rigorous certification process involves an independent, comprehensive review of an operator’s responsible gaming policies and practices, spanning Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, staff training programs, work culture, consumer protection measures, RG tool offerings, customer service standards, and regulatory compliance. The NCPG’s evaluation of PrizePicks ensured alignment with the highest Internet Responsible Gaming (IRG) standards, drawing from best practices across jurisdictions worldwide.

“We are proud to recognize PrizePicks as the first daily fantasy sports operator to receive iCAP accreditation. This achievement highlights their unwavering commitment to player protection and promoting positive play, setting a new benchmark for excellence in the industry,” said Jaime D. Costello, Director of Programs at the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Canada

Fennica Gaming Granted Supplier License for Ontario Market

Published

5 days ago

March 10, 2025

Niji Narayan

Fennica Gaming has announced that it has been granted a gaming supplier license in Ontario, Canada. This milestone marks a significant step in the company’s expansion strategy, allowing it to offer its cutting-edge gaming experiences to gaming operators in one of North America’s most dynamic regulated markets.

The supplier license, granted by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), enables Fennica Gaming to introduce its portfolio of entertaining and high-quality games to gaming operators across the province. This registration empowers Ontarian operators, whether online or land-based, to access the omnichannel offerings developed in the Nordics.

“We are thrilled to receive our B2B supplier license in Ontario and to offer our advanced gaming solutions to operators in the region. After a thorough application process, we can now proudly and prominently display our registration and achievement. We have followed the market in North America for a long time and Ontario is an excellent example of market that is well organized. It represents an exciting market with immense potential, and we are committed to delivering secure, entertaining, and trustworthy gaming experiences tailored to local preferences,” Timo Kiiskinen, Managing Director of Fennica Gaming, said.

Fennica Gaming’s Nordic gaming experience and heritage as an omni-channel gaming operator through its parent company Veikkaus offers a broad range of entertainment for Ontarian operators with a player-first attitude. This registration supports Fennica Gaming’s commitment to a sustainable industry, enabling operation in compliance with Ontario’s local regulatory framework.