Virginia skill gaming advocates and small businesses oppose governor's changes
Supporters of skilled gaming in Virginia say legislative changes passed by the state Legislature by Gov. Glenn Younkin (R-W.V.) that would allow certain businesses to house the machines go too far.
Last week, after rewriting key parts of the regulations, Yang returned to skill play measures.
Specifically, the governor proposes banning games of skill, such as the popular Queen of Virginia game, within 35 miles of a commercial casino or pari-mutuel gaming establishment. As a result, Youngkin also wants to require skill competitions to be at least 2,500 feet, or about half a mile, away from schools, day care centers or places of worship.
State Sen. Bill Stanley (R-Franklin), a staunch supporter of skill games, represents Sadler Brothers Oil Company in a lawsuit challenging the state's decision to ban skill games, which takes effect in June 2021 , he said Youngkin’s changes are almost everywhere. .
Stanley's staff created a map showing where skill games would not be allowed if the Legislature approved the governor's changes. The map shows that almost the entire Commonwealth is excluded, with only rural and remote areas likely to host the Olympics.
Governor’s Defense
Stanley questioned why Youngkin signed a law last year lifting a ban on methadone clinics within a half-mile of churches, schools and day care centers but was unwilling to do the same for skill games.
Small business owners are now legally in more danger than methadone clinics under the governor's changes to occupational regulations. Why? ” Stanley offered on X. “Heroin addicts get more respect than small business owners. "
In his rewrite of skill games, Youngkin said the 2,500-foot exclusion was due to the state's 2020 casino law, which requires casinos to be about a half-mile from religious centers, schools and day care centers. The governor added that his changes provide "more protective regulations for public safety and consumer protection."
Skill games look and sound like regular slot machines, but the difference is that players must determine the winning line. Slot machines in casinos do this automatically.
Supporters of skill games say the element of skill means they are not gambling tools because a person's skill can influence the outcome. Small businesses say the machines help offset higher goods and labor costs.
Youngkin explained that the 2,500-foot buffer is consistent with the state’s expansion of other forms of gambling, including the state’s 2018 law legalizing historic horse racing machines and the state’s 2020 casino law, which provides Casinos are issued casino licenses by certain cities.
Under the governor's proposal, for the few areas where skill gaming is allowed, the economic benefits the machines bring to businesses hosting the terminals will be reduced. Youngkin's sweeping reforms include raising the state tax on gross income from 25% to 45%.
Only businesses licensed by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) are eligible to participate in the Skills Game. Most ABC licensees can attend up to four games, while truck stops serving alcohol can accommodate up to 10 terminals.
Small Business Response
Skill games have proliferated across the commonwealth since 2020, with thousands of machines still operating until the Virginia Supreme Court last fall lifted the district court's injunction in the Sadler Brothers case. Machines at countless businesses including restaurants, bars, convenience stores and gas stations remain closed.
Many small business owners say these machines are critical to maintaining their workforce.
A casino with bright lights is more important than a gas station serving our community," small business owner Munir Rassiwala told 8News. "We are forgotten. We are not important. "
Rassiwala petrol station is one of more than 500 convenience stores joining forces to protest Youngkin's changes to the skill game. Their voices are led by the Virginia Business and Entertainment Alliance, which is lobbying Richmond lawmakers to reject Youngkin's amendment.
Read also:
- Games Industry Research: Carbon Emissions of Top Video Games
- U.S. cities with the most Swifties per capita
- Blackjack Casino Advantage: How to Beat the Odds
- Football 101: What is relegation in football?
Source: www.casino.org
