RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Governor Glenn Youngkin is defending his decision to make big changes to a bill meant to legalize skill games in Virginia.
Youngkin told 8News his changes include creating a more robust regulatory structure and more.
“Putting in a more protective set of arrangements for public safety and for consumer protection,” Youngkin said.
Youngkin’s changes include prohibiting skill games within 35 miles of a casino, and within 2,500 feet of a school or place of worship.
The graphic pictured below, created by Bill Stanley, Republican State Senator and supporter of skill games, puts the regulations in the amendments into perspective. Places covered by pink circles or red squares would not be allowed to have skill games under the amendment.
Gas station owner Munir Rassiwala, who’s business falls into one of the areas that would not be allowed to have skill games under Youngkin’s amendments, told 8News how he feels about it.
“We are forgotten today. We are not important,” Rassiwala told 8News on Youngkin’s amendments. “A casino with its shiny bright lights are more important than a gas station that has served our community.”
Youngkin said his reasoning for the 35-mile restriction has to do with a law passed in 2020 when Virginia legalized casinos. The law included language to prohibit additional horse race wagering terminals within 35 miles of a casino. Terminals already arranged were allowed to remain in place.
“This has been the consistent part of legislation when historical horse racing was introduced, when casinos were introduced. This has been consistent with that framework,” Youngkin told 8News.
The General Assembly will reconvene on Wednesday, April 17 to consider Youngkin’s amendments.
