In a major enforcement action announced on May 14, 2025, Pennsylvania authorities shut down a large-scale illegal gambling operation involving over 400 gaming devices disguised as "skill games." The sweep, led by Attorney General Dave Sunday, affected 13 counties across western Pennsylvania—including Allegheny, Blairsville, Beaver, and Erie.
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One of the raided venues, the 777 Game Room in Blairsville, was found to house devices that Sunday described as “illegal slots in disguise.” The machines were seized from gas stations, bars, and convenience stores, often appearing as legal entertainment but operating as unauthorized gambling terminals.
The operation focused on Buffalo Skill Games, Inc. and J.J. Amusement, Inc., both owned by John F. Conley, a businessman with previous federal convictions for illegal gambling. Conley is now accused of leading a corrupt organization distributing these unregulated devices and collecting significant profits under the guise of skill-based gaming.
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Investigators also uncovered a surveillance network transmitting live footage from multiple gaming sites, and over $175,000 in cash stored in a hidden warehouse.
The crackdown reignites Pennsylvania's ongoing debate over skill games versus regulated gambling, as court rulings have left a grey area that some operators continue to exploit. State legislators, backed by Governor Josh Shapiro, are proposing new laws to regulate and tax such machines, potentially generating $370 million in annual revenue.
