A spokesman for Governor Glenn Youngkin expressed “serious concerns” about both bills passed by the Virginia General Assembly to allow skill games in convenience stores and bars throughout the commonwealth, citing a series of potential issues with the legislation in a statement provided to The Virginia Star.
The administration’s concern about skill games comes amid calls to veto the legislation, and as The Star publisher John Fredericks warns that inaction by the governor could be a “presidential killer” should Youngkin run for the White House in 2028.
Asked if Youngkin would veto the legislation, a spokesman for the governor provided a statement from Communications Director Rob Damschen, which warned the Youngkin “administration has serious concerns with both the House and Senate versions of the bill.”
“There are numerous issues to work through including the regulatory structure, tax rates, the number of machines, impact on the Virginia Lottery and broader public safety implications,” Damschen explained.
Both the Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate passed bills that would allow skill games, but the bills differ wildly on how many devices will be allowed. The bills are likely to be combined before legislation is sent to Youngkin for a final decision.
According to their proponents, skill games, which are aesthetically similar to slot machines, should not be considered gambling because they purportedly require an element of skill from the user and are not solely based on luck as a result.
Last year, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares issued a legal opinion declaring them illegal last year, but a coalition of businesses claiming the machines are good for the economy have pushed for legislation to reverse Miyares’ decision.
The statement from the governor’s office was lauded by Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines. A spokesman told The Star, “Governor Youngkin is right to have serious concerns over legislation that would turn Virginia’s historic main streets into gambling corridors and bring more crime to Virginia communities.”
“Law enforcement organizations including the Virginia Fraternal Order of Police and Virginia Police Benevolent Association oppose legalizing skill games because they know they will make our communities less safe and place an undue burden on our law enforcement officers,” said the spokesman in a statement.
Earlier this week, the Virginia Police Benevolent Association urged lawmakers to reverse course on their plans to legalize skill games.
During his Wednesday appearance on The John Fredericks Show, State Senator John McGuire (R-Goochland) similarly stated his hope for the bill to be vetoed by the governor.
“They’re putting gambling in every neighborhood.” McGuire added, “I even hear the people that like skill games are skeptical of them, so I’m praying and hoping they will be stopped.”
Fredericks, who stressed his pro-gambling stance, argued that the unregulated skill games would be devastating to Youngkin’s potential political aspirations.
“He’s thinking about running for president in 2028, I think he should. He’s got to go to Iowa,” Fredericks said. “How do you go to Iowa in 2028 and you signed a bill that allowed gambling, unregulated, unsupervised, no security, preying on children and the underprivileged, on every single street corner and neighborhood in Virginia? How do you go to Iowa and that’s on your record?”
The radio host said, “I think if he doesn’t veto this, it’s an Iowa presidential killer for Glenn Youngkin.”
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
