Jury Awards $15M in Fatal Pace-O-Matic Case
Philadelphia Jury Holds Pace-O-Matic and Partner Liable for Worker’s Death
A jury in Philadelphia County has determined that Pace-O-Matic, a company known for unregulated skill-based gambling machines, along with its manufacturer, Miele Manufacturing, are responsible for the 2020 death of Ashokkumar Patel. The jury awarded $15.3 million in damages to Patel’s estate as a result of the case.
Ashokkumar Patel, a 50-year-old immigrant from India, was tragically killed while working at a location in Hazelton, Pennsylvania. At the time, he was performing duties involving large cash payouts to customers using Pace-O-Matic’s skill game machines when the fatal incident occurred.
Prioritizing Profits Over Employee Safety
Attorney Robert W. Zimmerman from Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky, who alongside John Lang represented Patel’s estate, stated that Pace-O-Matic focused heavily on profit margins rather than ensuring the safety of low-wage workers exposed to significant risks. Patel had to handle substantial cash payouts without adequate security protections in place.
The legal team argued that both Pace-O-Matic and Miele Manufacturing distributed thousands of these gaming machines throughout Pennsylvania venues without implementing safety standards similar to those found in regulated casinos or truck stop gambling establishments.
Evidence presented showed that these companies prioritized financial gain and exploited regulatory gaps instead of taking measures that could have prevented the robbery and subsequent death.
The civil judgment also includes liability for Jafet Rodriguez, who was convicted of Patel’s murder, as well as for the owner of the premises where the crime took place. The wrongful death lawsuit was filed in 2022, and Rodriguez is currently serving a prison sentence following his conviction in Luzerne County.
Criminal Charges Against Former Company Executive
This civil case follows criminal allegations brought against Rick Goodling, former national compliance director of Pace-O-Matic, who remained with the Georgia-based company until 2023. The Pennsylvania attorney general charged Goodling in October with racketeering and other offenses. These charges include accepting over $500,000 in kickbacks to suppress complaints regarding illegal slot machines and aiding distributors in obtaining devices while avoiding law enforcement detection.
Growing Concerns Over Skill-Based Gambling Machines
Concerns surrounding skill gaming devices are widespread across the industry. A 2023 survey by the American Gaming Association revealed that 65% of respondents familiar with skill machines could not distinguish them from traditional slot machines. Furthermore, over half of those surveyed believe these games increase crime risk and jeopardize the safety of both employees and customers at venues housing such devices.
