Fighting for Virginia’s Small Businesses
In 2020-21, skill games generated nearly $130 million in tax revenue for Virginia. In addition to growing revenue for the state, income from skill games helps small businesses create local jobs, provide employee benefits, and support their local communities.
Stop Your Legislators from Punishing Local Businesses
Legal skill games help create critical jobs and allow restaurants, bars, and non-profits to survive during tough times.
Now our small businesses need your help to survive.
Contact your legislator and tell them to protect legal skill games and support Virginia’s small businesses.
About VA MAC
What is VA MAC
Virginia Merchants and Amusement Coalition (VA MAC) is an organization whose members include retail establishments, clubs, lodges, and nonprofit organizations. Our goal is to protect our right to operate skill games driving revenue for our members in challenging economic times. Our current focus is to pass legislation that would properly regulate skill games and generate tax revenue for the Commonwealth.
Are skill games legal in Virginia?
Skill games were previously operating under a temporary injunction, which was recently reversed. However, there is bipartisan support from members of the Virginia General Assembly to pass legislation to regulate and tax skill games during the 2024 legislative session. VA MAC is committed to working with lawmakers to support small businesses that rely on income from skill games.
Why the need for new legislation?
In addition to supporting struggling small businesses, regulating skill games will benefit the Commonwealth by producing an estimated $200 million or more annually in additional tax revenue. Regulation would also give law enforcement the framework they need to properly identify illegal gambling devices and crack down on bad actors.
How do skill games support small businesses?
Skill games support small businesses by providing additional revenue to supplement their traditional income base. For many businesses, skill games have made it possible to recover from the pandemic and stay afloat in a tough economy. Revenue from skill games is used to pay bills, make location updates, provide employee benefits, offer competitive wages, support charitable causes, and more.
Are these skill games legal in other states?
Yes. In Wyoming, Georgia, and the District of Columbia, skill games are regulated and taxed. In Pennsylvania, skill games have been ruled games of predominant skill by numerous Pennsylvania courts. That decision was not appealed by Pennsylvania.
Do skill games hurt the lottery?
No. Independent economic studies have concluded that skill games do not negatively impact lottery sales. Dr. Peter Zaleski, a partner at Meadows Metrics and an economics professor at Villanova University, has conducted exhaustive studies which found that in states where skill games operate, state lotteries have actually seen increased profits. In fact, the Virginia lottery has continued to break sales records for the past 5 years, including its highest-ever sales for the 2022 fiscal year.
Why are gambling companies getting involved?
These companies want a monopoly on entertainment. Although skill games are proven to have no negative impact on these companies, they will not rest until they are able to cut out any perceived competition. A ban on skill games puts the profits of large gambling companies over the needs of Virginia’s small businesses.
Skill Games Give Back to Virginia
Skill game manufacturers donate millions of dollars to local charities each year. During the pandemic, they generated nearly $130 million in tax revenue, $74 million of which went directly to Virginia’s COVID-19 Relief Fund and worked with local business partners to hand out thousands of free meals across the state to people in need.