Gaming machine manufacturer Pace-O-Matic has failed to secure legal validation for its "Dragon's Ascent" game from the Kansas Supreme Court, leaving its status in a gray area.

Dragon's Ascent, commonly found in Kansas truck stops and convenience stores, is a dragon-shooting game where players spend credits to fire shots and receive prizes for successful hits. The game's legal status hinges on whether it qualifies as a skill-based contest, which would exempt it from Kansas gambling laws.

The company claims the game is "100% skill and strategy," but has struggled to gain official confirmation. In 2019, the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission found both skill and "many non-skill features" in the game, noting that players could bypass skill requirements by using objects to enable continuous firing.

The commission ultimately declined to make a formal decision, citing concerns about the game's remote modification capabilities. The Attorney General's Office also refused to provide an opinion.

Pace-O-Matic's subsequent lawsuit seeking legal declaration was dismissed by both lower and Supreme Courts, with Justice Keynen Wall noting the company lacked standing since it operates without law enforcement interference.

Despite the legal setback, Pace-O-Matic plans to continue operations in Kansas. Meanwhile, a separate lawsuit from casino operators claiming financial harm from the allegedly illegal game remains pending.

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