Secretary Frazier to General Assembly: Governor “Deeply Concerned” About More Gaming Without Strong Gaming Commission

RICHMOND, VA — Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines (VANSM) commends Governor Abigail Spanberger’s administration for its unequivocal stance prioritizing the establishment of a dedicated Gaming Commission before considering any expansion of gaming in Virginia.

Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier testified before the House Subcommittee on ABC/Gaming on Tuesday that the administration does not support gaming expansion without proper oversight in place:

“Governor Spanberger is deeply concerned about any discussions of gaming expansion in Virginia without first establishing a single entity with clear authority, consistent standards, and strong compliance and enforcement capabilities,” Frazier stated.

The administration’s thoughtful approach stands in stark contrast to the relentless push by “skill” game operators to flood Virginia with tens of thousands of predatory machines.

Neighborhood slot machines deliberately target lower-income communities, draining money from Virginians who can least afford it. This extraction of wealth from working families runs directly counter to Governor Spanberger’s “Affordable Virginia Agenda.”

“Convenience store slot machines are a direct assault on the affordability agenda,” said VANSM Spokesperson Nick Larson. “We applaud Governor Spanberger for cautioning against attempts to rush into gaming expansion and for prioritizing a responsible, safe gaming environment for Virginians. We urge the Governor to reject any attempts to legalize predatory neighborhood slot machines that operate in direct contrast to Virginia’s responsible gaming standards. “