For an opposing point of view, see “Gov. Youngkin should support Virginians’ well-being and veto SB 212” by former Rep. Frank Wolf.
In a world of shrinking margins impacted by COVID, labor shortages, supply-chain disruptions, inflation and global unrest, skill games emerged as a critical support system for thousands of small businesses.
The games emerged as a new retail category and were instrumental in keeping the doors open for many restaurants and convenience stores, providing employment and ensuring competitive wages.
SB 212, legislation that would regulate and tax skill games, is not just a piece of legislation — it’s a lifeline for thousands of businesses and their employees in this new economy.
As the leader of the Virginia Asian American Store Owner Association (VAASOA), I proudly represent a collective voice of 1,500 businesses and 10,000 of their employees across the commonwealth, each with a unique yet interconnected story.
My journey began in 2002 with my family’s move from India to Virginia, and took a pivotal turn in 2010 when we purchased our first convenience store. This was more than just a business venture; it was a leap of faith in Virginia’s promise to support small businesses and uphold equality — the very pillars of the American Dream.
Against the odds, my family was able to start and grow a business in a new country. And while our story is notable, it is not unusual. It mirrors the experiences of the 1,500 businesses that make up VAASOA’s membership.
Convenience stores are often owned and operated by immigrants and first- and second-generation Americans. These small-business owners and their families live, pay taxes, raise their families, and employ local Virginians all across the commonwealth.
These family-run local businesses also provide essential goods and services to our communities — particularly in rural areas, where they may be the closest stop for essential food, goods and household items.
That is why VAASOA, along with thousands of other businesses that make up the Skill Game Coalition, call on the governor to sign SB 212, legislation to regulate and tax skill games.
Skill games provided local small businesses, including restaurants, convenience stores, and other mom-and-pop shops with supplemental revenue. Although the games are never the main source of income for a business, the revenue they bring in often makes all the difference. When operating with ever-tightening margins, the additional revenue from skill games helped to make ends meet.
SB 212 is much-needed legislation that establishes guardrails and a framework for a regulated skill game market in Virginia. The bill sets limits on the number of games per location, age restrictions, protections for small businesses and consumers, background check requirements, a regular reporting structure, and establishes a state oversight agency.
It creates the most stringent regulatory structure put into place for gaming of any kind in Virginia, and at 25%, establishes the highest tax rate for any industry or product ever in the commonwealth.
But more than that, SB 212 is a true bipartisan compromise of Virginia’s House and Senate. This bill has been thoroughly vetted by the legislature and embodies our industry’s commitment to fair taxation, robust regulation and firm enforcement.
Virginia’s legacy of supporting small businesses is a promise I am confident will continue.
By signing SB 212, Governor Youngkin is not just signing a bill; he is helping sustain a lifeline for small businesses and honoring Virginia’s long-standing pledge to the American Dream.
Kunal Kumar is the vice president of Virginia Asian American Store Owner Association.
