Legislation in Virginia to create a regulatory framework for skill games cleared the state Senate this week with a 24-15 vote.
Skill games are slot-like machines that proponents credit for saving many small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The revenue won by the devices was split between the gaming developer, distributor, and local host establishment.
Critics of the machines say they put gambling on every street corner, leading to increased gambling addiction, financial ruin, and crime.
Senate Bill 661, dubbed the Virginia Small Business Economic Development Act, would establish operating rules for the controversial games, which have been banned in the commonwealth since the fall of 2023.
Virginia temporarily authorized skill games during the pandemic to provide small businesses like restaurants and bars with additional revenue. The allowance ended on June 30, 2021, but a lawsuit and a court injunction permitted the games to continue operating until the state Supreme Court decided that the games were not legal in October 2023.
Virginia Skill Games Bill
Introduced by Sen. Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach), SB661 seeks to provide a regulatory and taxation framework for skill games.
- https://www.casino.org/news/virginia-skill-games-legislation-clears-senate/