Skill games are machines that resemble slot machines, and get their name because manufacturers say there is an element of skill that determines winnings.
The devices have been in a whiplash of legislation and litigation since the General Assembly originally passed legislation to ban the devices in 2020. Then, former Gov. Ralph Northam and the Assembly amended the legislation to allow for a brief legal period, before a judge paused the ban in 2021.
In 2023, the Supreme Court of Virginia upheld the ban.
The frequent litigation surrounding skill games means that Virginia’s next attorney general will likely be involved in the issue. Two candidates for AG in different political parties were on the same side in a case; in November, a major games operator Queen of Virginia sued Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, and Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor, a Democrat.
There is no uniform stance on skill games from either of the major political parties, raising the chances that the lieutenant governor would have to cast a tie-breaking vote in a deadlocked state Senate.
Gaming companies have given statewide candidates just under $280,000 in 2024 and 2025, much of it from the skill-game industry, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Nearly two-thirds went to state Sen. Aaron Rouse (D–Virginia Beach), and 15% to former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney — both of whom are seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.
Convenience store owners, who have frequently lobbied extensively to keep the devices in stores, have contributed to both Miyares and Rouse.
VPM News asked statewide candidates for their stances on whether they think skill games should be legal — and if so, how they should be regulated. Here’s what they said:
Governor
Neither former Democratic U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger nor Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears responded to requests for comment.
Lieutenant governor
Labor attorney Alex Bastani said in a text message that “While I am not a fan of gambling as an attorney I would agree with the judge that the law was drafted too ambiguously to convict the store owner.”
State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D–Chesterfield) did not reply to a request for comment. Hashmi, who has received contributions from skill-game lobbyists, and convenience store operators lobbying for the devices, voted to ban the games in 2020.
In an interview Friday, Prince William School Board Chair Babur Lateef said: “We have so many other high priority needs, education, transportation, access to health care — all these things are far more important than predatory slot machines in 7-Elevens. And then with all that time, we still have confusion in the courts about what the law says?”
State Sen. Aaron Rouse said in an emailed statement: “Small businesses are the heart of our economy, and it’s critical they have the opportunity they’re asking for to succeed — especially as President Trump’s attacks on our Commonwealth continue. Small business owners asked Virginia leaders to bring much-needed clarity and regulation to this industry. My Democratic colleagues and I passed legislation to get that done in a way that benefits all Virginians, but Governor Youngkin vetoed it. As Lieutenant Governor, I’ll make sure all small businesses are supported and invested in.”
In an interview Friday, former prosecutor Victor Salgado said he opposes skill games, and regulating gambling and gaming generally. “The societal net value is negative when it comes to this activity, so it needs to be highly regulated,” he said. “There has been an invasion of this activity in Virginia because there is political capture.
Levar Stoney, Richmond’s former mayor, said in a written statement he would have not voted for the 2024 legislation, but signaled he wasn’t wholly against skill games. “Any consideration of skill games in Virginia must begin with sensible guardrails, including a fair tax structure that supports both the Commonwealth and localities, and a strong regulatory framework that protects our communities and addresses the risks associated with gambling,” he said. “Right now, none of that exists." Stoney has supported extending skill games in the past.
Republican nominee John Reid did not reply to VPM News’ request for comment.
Attorney general
Shannon Taylor said in a statement: “Right now, Virginia has a situation that makes store owners easier targets for theft and crime and encourages business owners to operate outside of the law. This is a matter of public safety."
Jason Miyares did not respond to a request for comment; neither did fellow Democratic candidate Jay Jones, who voted to ban the games in 2020 in the House of Delegates.
The primary early voting period begins May 2. The primary election is on June 17.
