With loophole, skills games could make a comeback in Virginia

According to Virginia statute and the Attorney General’s office, skill games have been illegal in the Commonwealth since 2020 but a loophole in machine operation has opened a possible return.

A judge’s decision late last year said game manufacturer Pace-O-Matic has a Queen of Hearts device that does not fall under state regulations because a player has to pay the owner or store operator to unlock the machine instead of the walk-up method.

Earlier this month, Marion Town Council members agreed unanimously to allow a special use permit to a business owner for public use. Under current laws, a Marion owner can have up to 2 skill game machines although council members noted a business with three machines was grandfathered in when the ban went into place in 2020.

Legislation has been pre-filed in the General Assembly to push the skill game issue forward. Prior bills to legalize the machines were vetoed by Governor Glenn Youngkin. A published report also said lobbyists for the Virginia casino industry have campaigned against the skill game enterprise due to their similarities.

(IMAGE: Property of Pace-O-Matic, Duluth, GA / Official Facebook)