The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled that so-called “skill games” operating in bars, convenience stores, social clubs and other businesses across the commonwealth are illegal gambling devices, ending years of legal disputes over the machines.

In its decision, the court sided with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, which argued that the machines function as unlicensed slot machines and therefore violate state gaming laws. The ruling overturns lower-court decisions that had found the games legal because they contained a skill-based component.

The case centered on machines marketed as “skill games,” which resemble casino slot machines but include a memory or pattern-recognition feature that manufacturers claimed allowed players to influence the outcome. State officials contended that the machines are primarily games of chance and should be regulated under Pennsylvania’s gaming laws.

The decision is expected to have a major impact on thousands of businesses that rely on revenue generated by the machines. Industry supporters have argued that skill games provide important income for small businesses, veterans organizations and social clubs, while opponents, including casinos and the Pennsylvania Lottery, have maintained that the devices operate outside the state’s regulatory and tax systems.

Lawmakers have debated for years whether to regulate and tax skill games, with estimates suggesting tens of thousands of machines are operating throughout Pennsylvania. Legislative efforts largely stalled while lawmakers awaited a definitive ruling from the state’s highest court.

The ruling is expected to influence future discussions in Harrisburg over gambling regulation, enforcement and potential legislation affecting electronic gaming devices.