Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines

🚨 This week, Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines launched an ad exposing “skill” game proponents’ shameful tactics. These devices exploit low-income communities, fuel crime and put problem gamblers and kids at risk. Despite this, language was snuck into the Senate version of the budget that would bring thousands of these devices, the equivalent of hundreds of mini casinos, to Virginia. Virginians deserve to know who is behind these predatory machines—and we won’t stop until they are defeated. #NoNeighborhoodSlots

WORD ON THE STREET: Illegal “skill” games are a direct threat to vulnerable Virginians, extracting dollars from communities that can least afford it. Local pastor says the way forward is clear: “Enforce the ban. Prohibit new terminals. Close the loopholes.” @InsideNoVa

@_Freedom_VA’s @HicksRhena doesn’t miss. Any attempt to legalize “skill” games – which 67% of Virginians already oppose – is a clear threat to affordability and public safety in Virginia. #SayNOtoShadySlots

Former @NCPGambling Executive Director calls "skill" games a "widespread public health problem", raises concerns over lack of controls and addiction risk. #StopShdySlots

New: The Virginia Fraternal Order of Police is urging lawmakers to reject a skill games compromise. President Ray Clemons says, “Make no mistake: the illegal skill game problem in Virginia was created by slot manufacturers. They did not stumble into this market. These out-of-state companies deliberately flooded convenience stores, gas stations, and restaurants with illegal machines.” “The General Assembly needs send a clear message that Virginia will not reward operators who deliberately defy state law,” he added.

Virginia localities want the chance to say NO to convenience store slots. Let’s do them one better and keep these predatory devices OFF OUR STREETS for good. #StopShadySlots

📪ICYMI: Faith Leaders from Across the Commonwealth Send Letter Asking Lawmakers to Uphold Ban on “Skill” Games Read: stopneighborhoodslots.com/new-faith-lead…

📢ICYMI: Former Alexandria Sheriff sends letter to Governor Spanberger urging her to reject any attempts to legalize "skill" games. #StopShadySlots

The letter is from 124 state & local leaders of Virginia’s 78 Moose Lodges and asks Governor Spanberger to veto or substantially amend “skill” slot machine legalization bills (HB1272 and SB661) to include: 1)     Approval through a local referendum; 2)     Comprehensive, enforceable regulatory oversight; and 3)     A meaningful charitable component ensuring revenues support Virginia nonprofit organizations to create a level playing field.

The Virginia Moose Lodge Association sent a letter to Gov. Spanberger asking her to amend skill games legislation.

“Nearly every day, we see more evidence of serious criminality and illicit behavior involving convenience store slot machines,” said Nick Larson, spokesperson for Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines. “This industry operates in direct contrast to Governor Spanberger’s Affordable Virginia Agenda, and we’re glad to see the city of Petersburg and the Virginia State Police taking strong action against them."

‼️NEW ‼️THANK YOU @PBurgPolice and Virginia State Police for taking decisive action against illegal convenience store slot machines in Petersburg neighborhoods #STOPShadySlots

Well said Secretary Katie Frazier: “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.” Legalizing “skill” slot machines & allowing a 24/7 casino on every Virginia cell phone would expose families to new and dangerous financial risks, undermine churches & charitable institutions and weaken the rule of law in Virginia. @GovernorVA @SpanbergerForVA @AGJayJones @jonesjay @AgForestryVA @VaAgriculture @VSPPIO WATCH: x.com/StopShadySlots…

NEW: Former executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling sends letter to Governor Spanberger warning against the risks of legalizing "skill" games & urging the Governor to reject legalization attempts.

ICYMI🚨 Fredericksburg Reverend says so-called skill games are "the latest scheme to extract dollars from those who can least afford to lose them," calls for "moral clarity" and enforcement of the Commonwealth's ban on the machines. @InsideNoVA

"[M]ost of the money was gambled away at the “Queen machines”, slots style gambling machines inside convenience stores...he would sit there for hours gambling money on these machines." wtkr.com/investigations…

Convenience store slot machines create predictable, preventable harm -- they sit out in the open, accessible to anyone, at all hours, fostering addiction and attracting crime. Virginia lawmakers should consider this warning and reject any attempts to legalize shady slots this year.

There is no way to safely regulate a predatory industry that time and again has tried to circumvent the laws on the books. They have willfully ignored the intent of the law and no matter what legislation the General Assembly passes, they will do so again. The existing ban should remain in place.

📢 Gaming expert asks the real question: "Why would Virginia legalize the products of companies that profit from addiction, openly defy the law, undermine public safety, and attack prosecutors and lawmakers for doing their jobs — especially when 67% of Virginians say they do not want “skill” games in their neighborhoods?"

Governor Spanberger has prioritized affordability, lowering costs, and responsible governance. But the VA Senate just passed SB661, which legalizes so-called “skill” slot machines & will move Virginia 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. SB661 means more gambling by kids in public spaces, higher addiction rates, and financial harm to Virginia families. Expanding gambling yet again by legalizing “skill” slots is not responsible governance. @GovernorVA @ltgovhashmi @jonesjay @SpanbergerForVA @AGJayJones