Pennsylvania Skill Games: Five Voting Days, Two Tax Plans, and the Opening for Regulated Operators
United Gaming Advisors / Monte Cristo Gaming — October 16, 2026
Key Takeaways for Gaming Operators, Investors and Location Owners
No seizures, arrests, charges or fines have been reported as of October 16. Enforcement is under way on paper; the public record shows intentions and agreements (Spotlight PA, Oct. 16).
The legislature returns Monday, October 19 with only five voting days left in the two-year session. Unfinished business likely restarts in January unless a special session is called (WVIA/WESA, Oct. 14).
The two candidates for governor agree on legalizing and differ on the price. Gov. Shapiro backs a gross-revenue tax like casino slots (cited at 52%). Treasurer Garrity backs a flat fee, reported at $500 per machine per month.
The Attorney General says he will enforce, and prosecutors are offering "voluntary surrender." The District Attorneys Association says local law enforcement is willing to coordinate it.
New card-accepting "replacement" machines are being watched. State Police say they will criminally investigate devices that take credit or debit cards or other items of value.
Dates are staggered. DeLeo Games has until November 4 to remove its disabled equipment, so removal timelines differ by operator.
What to watch. Monday, October 19. I will report only what is confirmed with a date, including the first confirmed seizure or charge.
Prospective Investor Inside Analysis
This section is my view, not a forecast. It is analysis for people deciding whether and how to enter a regulated Pennsylvania VGT market.
This is big news for anyone on the regulated side: Pace-O-Matic did not get a path that allowed its games to stay in place. The court ruling stands, the legislature did not act in time, and the machines are being removed.
Why that matters. Winning a location is hard when a grey-area incumbent is already parked in it. The host has a revenue share, a relationship, a machine on the floor and years of habit. Under that setup, a regulated operator knocking on the door was asking the owner to give something up. With those machines on their way out, that obstacle is shrinking.
My read is that any future legislation will have to address pre-existing agreements between operators and locations. If that is right, the businesses that start building compliant relationships now are positioned best when a framework arrives. I want to be clear that this is my judgment and not a certainty. Nothing is passed, the tax rate is unresolved, and the rules on machine limits, locations and local control are still open.
It will still not be easy. Pace-O-Matic fought hard for these businesses and has a strong story to tell. Many location owners are loyal to the people who stood with them, and they will remember who showed up when it counted. The way in is organic: earn the business the right way, with a clean record, a real offer and a track record of keeping your word.
I know that path. I led the charge for PENN in 2018 to build Marquee by PENN into the strongest operator in regulated Pennsylvania VGT gaming. I can do the same for you.
If you are an investor or operator who wants in on this market, reach out to me and I can show you the way to win organic business the right way: contact@montecristogaming.com.
If you own or manage a bar, club, restaurant or convenience store and want to understand your compliant, regulated options, reach out to me too: contact@montecristogaming.com.
Chicago VGT Live Tracker
By the numbers (Illinois Gaming Board lists, City = Chicago, pulled October 16): 64 licensed establishments (latest status date September 3, unchanged) and 296 pending applications (294 establishments, one veterans establishment, one truck stop; latest status date October 15).
Application growth: up 4.2% since September 24 (284 to 296), up 3.1% since October 1 (287 to 296), and up 1.0% from yesterday (293 to 296).
Hot Items to Go Live:
City local licensing. Zero issued; the Chicago Sun-Times (October 5, updated October 6) reported a City Hall spokesman confirmed machines have not gone live.
Conditional-license ordinance (O2026-0024090). Deferred and published April 15; no vote found since.
The repeal push. Mayor Johnson asked the Council to reverse course (WTTW, June 12); no new Council action found.
Bally's Host Community Agreement dispute. September 9 License Committee hearing is the latest verified event; Bally's halted hotel and venue construction over the dispute (WTTW, August 10).
The 296-application state queue. Every pending application still needs IGB approval first.
On the calendar: Accel Entertainment reports third quarter results after the market closes Tuesday, November 3, with a call at 4:30 PM ET.
We found no confirmed new developments dated October 15 or 16 in Missouri, Georgia, Texas, Nevada, West Virginia, Montana, Oregon or Nebraska.
Read the story from every angle
Spotlight PA, Oct. 16: lawmakers, the AG and the campaign.
WVIA/WESA, Oct. 14: operators, DeLeo Games, five voting days.
NBC10 Philadelphia, Oct. 14: what the ban covers.
City & State PA, Oct. 9: the legislative calendar.
Investors and operators: want in on regulated Pennsylvania VGT? Reach out and I will show you how to win organic business the right way. Location owners: want a compliant path for your venue? Reach out. Either way: contact@montecristogaming.com
