ISSUE

Deceptive slot machines infiltrated communities across Virginia. Thankfully the Virginia Supreme Court upheld the law and ruled that these games must be removed. Now, out of state operators are attempting to get them reinstated. Lawmakers must stand against this.

NOT MONITORED

Skill games are often installed in unmonitored locations – making them readily available to minors. Research shows that children introduced to “harmless betting” at a young age are four times more likely to engage in problem gambling later. A “win” on a skill machine today can quickly turn to negative side effects of gambling addiction later.

EASILY ACCESSIBLE

These gray slot machines are accessible to and feed on problem gamblers, often in low-income areas, tempting them to prove their “skills” at games that are deceptively difficult to beat.

CAN’T BE FIXED BY REGULATION

Regulation is a pathway to legalizing a growing threat to our neighborhoods and quality of life. The removal and permanent ban of skill games is the only way to ensure that Virginia’s historic main streets don’t become gambling corridors.

INCREASED CRIME

Whether a business owns one gray machine or ten, they lead to loitering which causes security concerns and can lead to crime. Virginia Commonwealth’s attorneys from multiple localities reported that crimes such as assault and robbery have increased at establishments with gray machines.

STOP GRAY GAMES.

Before the Virginia Supreme Court banned skill machines, these deceptive slots infiltrated every neighborhood and took over local convenience stores, restaurants and bars – targeting low-income communities.

If Virginia truly is the best place to live, work, and raise a family, we must do everything we can to keep these games out of our commonwealth.