For an opposing point of view, see “Skill game legislation supports the American Dream” by Kunal Kumar of the Virginia Asian American Store Owner Association.
As Virginia anxiously awaits action from Governor Youngkin on a host of bills following the legislative session, one bill stands out in particular: SB 212. This bill threatens to unleash a wave of convenience store slot machines across the commonwealth, posing significant risks to our communities. I urge Governor Youngkin to exercise his authority to veto this bill.
In my three decades of experience in legislative decision-making in Congress, and as the lead sponsor of the National Gambling Impact Study Commission legislation, I’ve learned a thing or two about good policy and bad policy, especially when it comes to gambling. The deceptively named “skills game” legislation on Governor Youngkin’s desk is one of the clearest instances of bad policy that should never have made it this far in the legislative process. This bill would be a terrible thing for Virginia, particularly for our lower-income communities and our children.
For years previously, Virginia lawmakers have made the deliberate choice to maintain a ban on convenience store slots, recognizing the inherent dangers that they pose to residents. These decisions were rooted in a deep understanding of the risks associated with these deceptive devices. Despite this, and after allowing these machines for a brief stint during the COVID-19 pandemic, the recent shift in the General Assembly’s stance demands a vocal response from opponents to remind lawmakers of the perils of such a reversal.
Convenience store slots present themselves as innocent amusement devices, encouraging players to give them a try and test out their “skills” at seemingly simple games rather than just luck. The skill component of these machines gives players a false hope that if they just play more, they will get better and win more. This is an illusion. The games entice players with the promise of substantial cash prizes, but they are deceptively difficult and offer no guarantee of a payout.
These games also serve as a magnet for Virginians who can least afford to play them – namely, children, the poor, and gambling addicts. The convenience stores, gas stations and restaurants that will host these games have no possible way to ensure adequate enforcement that would keep these individuals from playing. As a result, players are likely to be lured into a cycle of financial hardship and addiction that could have been avoided.
Along with age and problem gambling enforcement, these locations also do not have the means to ensure that their patrons remain safe after introducing this large new target for crime. Convenience store slots nationwide have proven to create the threat of criminal activity due to the substantial amounts of cash that they accumulate. This puts not only the store and its patrons at risk but also the surrounding communities.
Sadly, there are already plenty of gambling options in Virginia. If Virginians wish to do so, they can make the effort to visit a casino, sports betting site, historical horse racing facilities, or just play the Virginia Lottery (to name a few). These are all highly regulated. There is no need to introduce the shady alternative of slot machines in every corner store across the Commonwealth.
Governor Youngkin must protect Virginians from these dangers. Del. Mark Earley Jr. said it best on the House floor when he pleaded that “one of the jobs (of legislators), and one of the law generally, is to make it easier for people to find the path of virtue and make it more difficult to get caught in vice.” I believe Governor Youngkin has done an outstanding job. I encourage him to veto SB 212, listen to the concerns of citizens, and keep these dangerous devices out of Virginia.
Frank Wolf served as the U.S. representative for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District from 1981 to 2015.