The Group urges Virginia's skill gaming machines to stay within small enterprises.
The legal status of skill gaming machines in Virginia still hangs in the balance as the matter remains unresolved in the courts. However, a newly established group aims to pressure legislators in Richmond to ensure that these slot-like devices continue to provide essential income for small businesses.
The Virginia Merchants and Amusements Coalition (VAMAC) has set its sights on advancing the cause of small business owners who want to maintain their skill gaming machines. According to the coalition's president, Rich Kelly, their goal is straightforward: "We want to approach state legislators and say, 'We want the skill games to continue.' They have been an important factor in our recovery from COVID-19, and they haven't harmed the community."
Despite arguments to the contrary, skill gaming machines look, sound, and operate pretty much like Las Vegas slot machines, but there's one key difference. The player must identify a winning payline. In comparison, a traditional slot automatically announces whether the spin is a winner or a loser.
Enemies of these machines include the Virginia lottery and the commercial casino industry. These entities argue that skill gaming takes away players and reduces vital tax revenues that the heavily regulated and taxed lottery and casino gaming sectors provide.
Skill Gaming Saga Contd.
To help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Virginia lawmakers legalized certain skill gaming machines temporarily. For this, small businesses had to pay the state $1,200 per month per machine. However, not all types of skill gaming machines were allowed - only certain titles, with Queen of Virginia being the most popular brand. Pace-O-Matic, a Georgia-based gaming manufacturer, sought to have these products legalized permanently but failed to do so.
The temporary authorization expired on July 1, 2021, and a lawsuit was then filed by Sadler Brothers Oil, which operates 13 gas and diesel truck stops, several of which offer skill gaming machines. This led to Greensville County Circuit Judge Louis Lerner issuing an injunction, making it illegal for law enforcement to seize the machines covered under the temporary authorization until the legal battle resolves.
This lawsuit is proceeding at a snail's pace because of the involvement of State Representative Bill Stanley (R-Franklin), who is representing Sadler Brothers in the case.
Due to Stanley's position as an elected state lawmaker, Lerner postponed the Sadler Brothers trial until November 2, when the General Assembly is expected to have finished its 2023 legislative session.
Earlier this year, a bill was presented to the House of Delegates intending to legalize skill gaming machines permanently. This bill failed to gain the necessary support and thus ceased to exist.
Untaxed, Unregulated Machines
Critics of Virginia skill gaming argue that the terminals bring gambling to every corner of the commonwealth without providing any consumer protection or generating tax revenue. The revenue from the machines is split between the host business, the machine manufacturer, and the route distributor. Small businesses keep around 40% of the winnings.
Skill gaming machines are not subject to any regulations ensuring fair play, as they often have payout rates way below those of regulated slot machines found in Virginia casinos. Skill gaming opponents also declare that underage individuals and those with gambling problems have little trouble accessing gambling.
Proponents of skill gaming, on the other hand, are prepared to share some revenue in the form of taxes. Additionally, they maintain that the games do not have any negative impact on casinos.
"Casinos are totally different from a few skill games placed in a 7-Eleven or in the back of a restaurant," Kelly remarked.
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Source: www.casino.org
