State police have begun investigating the matter of illegal skill games being used in area businesses, clubs, bars, etc., in the wake of a state Supreme Court ruling that took effect Oct. 14.

The high court gave the Legislature until Oct. 13 to take action to make the use of and playing of skill games legal, but the lawmakers failed to take action on the issue.

State police at the Frackville barracks indicated that enforcement is underway.

In fact, two days after the machines became illegal, police said officers examined three area businesses in the afternoon and evening hours to determine if they were complying with the law. Police said they were.

On Oct. 15, police went to a business on Hughes Street in New Ringgold; one on the Morea Road, Mahanoy Township; and yet another on Barnesville Drive, Ryan Township.

They said all three businesses were found to be in compliance with the regulation that skill game devices are illegal to both have and to use.