Pennsylvania Illegal Gambling Firms Agree $5M Closure And Forfeiture Deal

• Gambling
• 08 April 2026

Two firms in Pennsylvania that asserted they were engaged in the creation and distribution of skill games throughout the state have admitted guilt to felony offenses and have consented to a settlement worth millions of dollars while ceasing their operations.

On Wednesday, April 8, Attorney General of Pennsylvania Dave Sunday revealed that Buffalo Skill Games, Inc. and JJ Amusement, Inc. have both resolved to dissolve their businesses and relinquish $5 million in cash and assets. This agreement was reached through a plea deal.

Authorities in the state confiscated approximately 400 unlawful gambling machines associated with Buffalo Skill and JJ across over 60 sites in various counties in western Pennsylvania. The companies promoted their products to hosting establishments as skill games, which continue to infiltrate the state in an ambiguous manner.

However, in contrast to the Pennsylvania Skill brand, which is the most recognized skill-based game, the terminals from Buffalo Skill and JJ were unregulated, unlawful slot machines that often had unfavorable odds.

Sunday Takes Action

Since assuming the role of Pennsylvania's leading law enforcement official in January 2025, Sunday has utilized the attorney general's office to eliminate unregulated slot machines from the state.

In February, the Attorney General’s office revealed a forfeiture of $3 million in cash and assets from Deibler Brothers Novelty based in Schuylkill County, which confessed to distributing unlawful slot machines.

Buffalo Skill and JJ Amusement admitted to felony charges related to corrupt organizations due to their extensive distribution of illegal gambling devices.

The Pennsylvania State Police worked alongside the AG’s Gaming Enforcement unit to conduct the seizure of the gaming machines.

The devices were located in bars, gas stations, and convenience stores across the counties of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Crawford, Indiana, Somerset, Venango, Erie, Washington, Armstrong, and Westmoreland.

Regarding these operations, Sunday expressed his conviction that illegal gambling does not occur without victims.

"Illegal gambling can fuel criminal enterprises, exploit individuals addicted to gambling, and rip off consumers with games that are not regulated, provide little or no chance of winning, and do not comply with gambling self-exclusion lists intended to protect those struggling with addiction,” Sunday explained.

“This resolution secures a multimillion-dollar forfeiture for the Commonwealth, while assuring the companies will cease to exist. I commend our partners at the Pennsylvania State Police for helping disband a large-scale operation that involved slot machines essentially dressed up as skill games,” the Pennsylvania AG added. 

Skill Game Dispute

Genuine skill games integrate aspects of ability alongside randomness.

Advocates for these games, including software company Pace-O-Matic and its producer, Miele, argue that the games are not merely dependent on fortune and thus are exempt from the Pennsylvania Gaming Act. The state judiciary has concurred, although an appeal is still pending with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

The highest court in the state is anticipated to rule on whether skill games are included within the parameters of the Gaming Act in the next few weeks.