AG Miyares Rebukes Maker of New Slot Machines
Attorney General Jason Miyares has determined that new versions of Pace-O-Matic’s (POM) machines are still illegal, and Governor Youngkin has vowed to veto any effort to legalize so-called “skill games” this year.
Last week, Attorney General Miyares took a bold and necessary step in protecting Virginia’s communities by rebuking Pace-O-Matic's (POM) latest attempt to exploit legal loopholes that would flood our communities with these predatory "skill games" (a.k.a., neighborhood slot machines) which are found in establishments like gas stations, convenience stores, and restaurants—places where Virginians, including children, go every day.
The maker of the Queen of Virginia games, says its new version of the games (QVS2) complies with Virginia law because the physical bill payment slot is not attached to the machine.
Under current law, a “skill game” is defined as machine that requires the insertion of a coin, currency, ticket, token, or similar object to operate, activate, or play a game.
Attorney General Miyares’ legal memo to the Commonwealth’s Attorneys, Chiefs of Police, and the Virginia Sheriff’s Association, clarifies that “the only material difference between POM’s original, banned machine and the new machine is the physical bill collection slot is removed from the machine.
Miyares reiterated that the skill games ban focuses on the type of games offered, and not the physical bill payment method to play.
Governor Youngkin has voiced his support for Attorney General Miyares' recent action, stating, "I will not support businesses or organizations that work to undermine the rule of law and jeopardize the safety and well-being of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia." He described Pace-O-Matic's advocacy attempts as "disingenuous at best."
Attorney General Miyares’ guidance not only upholds Virginia law but shields our most vulnerable citizens from an industry focused on profit, not protection.
These addictive machines:
Exploit those who can least afford to lose, creating a cycle of poverty and addiction.
Increase crime by turning convenience stores that host these machines into hubs for illegal activity, threatening the safety of our neighborhoods.
Destroy communities by breaking families apart and weakening the social and economic fabric of our communities.
The action taken by Attorney General Miyares serves as a reminder that we must remain vigilant and steadfast in opposing future attempts by gambling companies to exploit our legal system and target our communities.
