RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Since 2020, it’s been a hot and cold, unpredictable ride as the legality of convenience stores operating skill games came into question time and time again.
Business owners started unplugging their machines last year after the Virginia Supreme Court ruled electronic, slot-like machines were too close to illegal gambling.
Now, new legislation on the table could shuffle the cards once again.
On Tuesday, March 26, local business owners and skill game advocates gathered in Capitol Square, pleading for Gov. Glenn Youngkin to sign a bill into law that would revitalize what they call a major source of revenue, while adding some regulations.
At the rally, 8News heard from business owners like Amy Mawyer. She owns Lakeside’s Bryan Park Bar and Grill.
The ban on these electronic gaming machines had some local business owners rethinking their entire business plan.
“Not having skill games — we might have [had a] second thought [about] buying the restaurant,” Mawyer said. “[When opening,] we knew that we were gonna have that extra income. So it’s been tough to make ends meet over the past several months.”
According to Mawyer, skill games altered the trajectory of her business — and she worries their absence will, too.
That’s why she joined dozens of other local restaurant and business owners in support of this bipartisan piece of legislation, which would allow up to four machines in liquor-licensed stores. It would also impose a 25% tax on collections from the games.
Ankit Patel said if the ban taught his Winchester convenience store anything, it’s that the games are more than games.
“It’s a lifeline,” Patel reflected. “My family — my employees, my 10 employees have 10 families who run with my business. If I shut down my business, then they’re going to be out of their jobs.”
On the other hand, those who oppose the bill argue skill game re-legalization on such a widespread scale — extending permissions to stores, gas station shops, truck stops and beyond — will only perpetuate “problem gambling.”
The group “Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines” said that there are no specific methods outlined in the legislation to ensure that the ages or criminal histories of those who use the machines are monitored.
They referenced a past JLARC report that suggested skill machines have a history of increasing crime in a community.
However, from his first-hand experience, Patel said he feels that is just not true.
“At nighttime, there’s just one cashier working,” Patel said. “There were other people who was playing the games. We had zero robberies or break-ins in the store due to that.”
The bill passed in the Virginia General Assembly a few weeks ago. Now, it needs Youngkin’s signature to become law.
In 2021, Youngkin offered a general level of support for the skill games industry as a whole. However, in a statement sent to 8News on Wednesday, his office emphasized that, in this case, he will need to zoom in and look carefully at this specific piece of legislation.
“We are not going to be able to survive without the skill games,” Patel said.
Multiple speakers like Patel and Mawyer took to a podium on Tuesday. They shared their experiences both before, during and immediately after the ban was implemented last year.
Overall, they all shared resounding sentiments of solidarity.
“All we have got to do is get this bill passed,” one advocate shouted during the rally.
The bill encompasses a multitude of specific regulations on a more granular level. You can view a comprehensive point-by-point breakdown here.
An additional aspect of the bill that warrants attention is the deadline element. It instructs the Virginia Lottery Board to outline clear-cut regulations by 2027. It also authorizes Virginia ABC to, in essence, permit businesses to operate their skill games machines starting in July.
