A Philadelphia County jury has held Pace-O-Matic, an unregulated “skill” gambling company, and its manufacturing partner, Miele Manufacturing, accountable for the 2020 death of Ashokkumar Patel. In a decisive verdict, the jury awarded $15.3 million to Patel’s estate. Patel, a 50-year-old immigrant from India, was tragically shot while mopping the floor at a Hazelton, Pennsylvania location where he worked. He was tasked with making large cash payouts to customers using Pace-O-Matic’s “skill” game machines.
Pace-O-Matic’s operations in Pennsylvania have been described as a burgeoning enterprise focused intensely on profit maximization at the expense of worker safety. The jury found that the company and Miele Manufacturing did not implement adequate security measures to protect employees like Patel, who handled significant amounts of cash without protection against potential threats. This lack of security measures, according to the legal team representing Patel’s estate, left workers vulnerable to foreseeable dangers.
Attorney Robert W. Zimmerman of Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky, who represented the Patel family, remarked that the verdict sends a clear message to companies like Pace-O-Matic: prioritizing profits over the safety of workers can lead to dire consequences. The law firm argued that the company’s focus on profitability and exploiting regulatory loopholes was evident in their widespread distribution of machines across Pennsylvania without the safety protocols required at regulated gambling venues.
Pace-O-Matic and Miele were not alone in sharing the civil verdict. It also included Jafet Rodriguez, who was convicted of murdering Patel, along with the owner of the premises where the incident occurred. The wrongful death lawsuit, filed in 2022 under Case ID: 221101639, highlighted the systemic failures leading to Patel’s death. Rodriguez, after his criminal conviction in Luzerne County, is now serving his sentence.
Adding to the controversy surrounding Pace-O-Matic, this verdict comes on the heels of criminal charges against Rick Goodling, the company’s former national compliance director. Goodling was charged in October by Pennsylvania’s attorney general with racketeering and related offenses. These charges include accepting over $500,000 in kickbacks to silence complaints about the illegal slot machines and aiding distributors in obtaining devices while evading law enforcement detection.
The use and regulation of “skill” gambling devices have ignited debates nationwide. A survey by the American Gaming Association in 2023 revealed that 65% of individuals familiar with skill machines find them indistinguishable from traditional slot machines. Furthermore, more than half of the respondents indicated that these devices increase crime risk and pose dangers to employees and customers in establishments where they are present.
In contrast to the liability found by the jury, representatives from Pace-O-Matic might argue that the machines themselves are designed for entertainment rather than as a catalyst for crime. The company could contend that additional factors, including a lack of adequate law enforcement or broader social issues, may contribute to the potential for crime in locations where such devices are used.
Some industry experts might suggest that the regulatory environment itself creates challenges. The difference in regulation between traditional casinos and other venues where skill games are found could leave gaps in safety standards. Without consistent oversight, it becomes difficult to ensure that measures to protect employees and patrons are uniformly applied.
Critics of unregulated gambling devices argue that such operations inherently carry risks that are not present in regulated environments. The absence of stringent regulatory oversight might allow companies to prioritize profits while neglecting the safety and security of those involved in their operations.
Meanwhile, supporters of skill-based gaming could argue for the potential benefits these machines bring to businesses, such as increased foot traffic and additional revenue streams. They may assert that with the proper regulatory adjustments and oversight, the benefits could outweigh the risks, creating a safer and more profitable environment for all stakeholders.
As the industry continues to grapple with these issues, the importance of establishing clear regulations and ensuring compliance becomes increasingly evident. The verdict in the Patel case underscores the need for companies to balance profitability with responsibility, safeguarding the lives and well-being of their employees.
The unfolding events and legal battles surrounding Pace-O-Matic may serve as a critical case study for other companies in the gambling industry, illustrating the potential repercussions of neglecting safety in pursuit of financial gains. The outcome of this case could prompt a reevaluation of how skill gaming devices are managed, potentially leading to more robust safety protocols and regulatory measures in the future.
David Harrison stands tall in gambling journalism, marrying his firsthand casino experiences with a deep understanding of betting psychology. His articles transform complex gambling jargon into engaging tales of strategy and chance, making the world of betting accessible and enjoyable. David’s knack for narrative extends beyond print, making him a sought-after speaker on gambling trends and future bets. In the realm of gambling, David is both a scholar and a storyteller, captivating readers and listeners alike.
