• Pennsylvania Skill game companies have been found liable for a man’s 2020 murder
• Pace-O-Matic and Miele Manufacturing will appeal the $15.3 million judgment

The companies behind the popular Pennsylvania Skill games found in small businesses across the commonwealth have been deemed liable for the death of a man in 2020.

The companies behind Pennsylvania Skill games have been found liable for the 2020 murder of a Hazelton man. Pace-O-Matic and Miele Manufacturing will appeal the $15.3 million judgment. (Image: The Morning Call)

Defendants Pace-O-Matic (POM) and Miele Manufacturing, respectively the software developer and gaming manufacturer/route distributor behind the supposedly skill-based gaming machines, on Monday were ordered to pay $15.3 million to the estate of Ashokkumar Patel after the jury found the companies were negligent parties to Patel’s Dec. 12, 2020, murder.

Prosecutors later proved in court that Jafet De Jesus Rodriguez was the killer and made off with just $14,000 in cash. Rodriguez later admitted to having lost thousands of dollars playing the Pennsylvania Skill games.

POM, Miele Liable Parties

Rodriguez was found guilty of first-degree murder, robbery, and theft, and in July was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Patel’s family members brought a wrongful death suit against the proprietor and Sunoco, which was settled out of court. POM and Miele opted to defend their actions in court, a decision that, in hindsight, could be a costly one.

The Philadelphia County jury agreed with the plaintiffs’ attorneys in that POM and Miele’s unregulated slot-like gaming devices created unsafe environments for employees like Patel.

Pace-O-Matic created a staggering enterprise in Pennsylvania, and was entirely focused on increasing its bottom line rather than protecting vulnerable, low-wage workers who had to make large payouts without any security measures to protect them from foreseeable risks. On behalf of the Patel family, we hope Pace-O-Matic listens to the jury’s clear verdict that placing profits over safety can and does lead to dangerous consequences,” said Patel estate attorney Robert Zimmerman of the Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky law firm.

Skill games in Pennsylvania, like the Pennsylvania Skill title, look, sound, and operate closely to slot machines found inside one of the state’s 17 brick-and-mortar casinos. However, the player can slightly alter their payout rate by identifying winning paylines. A casino slot automatically credits winning outcomes.

The state casino industry, which is highly regulated and taxed, opposes the unregulated skill games on the claim that they poach play from their properties. Skill game opponents additionally raise concerns about consumer safeguards, since the machines are not monitored for fair play, often come with little or no responsible gaming protections, and are more accessible to underage people than are casinos.

The Philadelphia City Council and other local governments say skill games have led to unsafe settings in neighborhood corner stores. 

Appeal Forthcoming

POM and Mielie issued a statement rejecting the jury’s findings.

We will appeal and win,” attorneys for the companies said.

“The death of Ashokkumar Patel is tragic and a terrible loss for his family. As for the lawsuit filed by Mr. Patel’s estate, we will continue to maintain that Pace-O-Matic is not connected in any way with the actions involved in the crime,” the release continued.

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