Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines

Stand with us to stop neighborhood slots!

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

🚨 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

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

🚨PA Supreme Court affirms what we already knew in Virginia. "Skill" games are neighborhood slot machines and should be treated as such. These are predatory devices and the ban must be enforced.

[Stephen Caruso @StephenJ_Caruso]

It's official. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ruled skill games are slot machines. The underlying cases are sent back to Commonwealth Court for further deliberation.

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

“Skill” games are just neighborhood slot machines, plain and simple – and a new op-ed shows exactly how this shady industry operates: political money, pressure campaigns, and phony small-business slogans. These dangerous machines have no place in Virginia.
#StopShadySlots

[RealClearPennsylvania @RealClearPA]

The Skill Games Lobby Came for My Home District's State Sen. https://t.co/jefjh4gU3Q

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

The Trace reported on a survey of 4,700 Philadelphia businesses and found: “More than 50% of businesses in low-income neighborhoods had skill games, while only 3% had them in the high-income neighborhood of Chestnut Hill.”

The “skill” game industry’s predatory targeting cannot be tolerated in Virginia! Enforcing the existing ban is the only option.

Read the full story: https://t.co/Murz50kaQX

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

Time and time again, governors have echoed public opinion and said NO to "skill" games.

A poll by Global Strategy Group found that 67 percent of voters do not want "skill" games polluting the Commonwealth + a poll by Hart Research could only find 36 percent of Virginians in support. Turns out, opposition to convenience store slots is broad and bipartisan! #NoShadySlots

[Graham Moomaw @gmoomaw]

Ralph Northam said no to skill games.

Glenn Youngkin said no to skill games.

Abigail Spanberger said no to skill games.

No one is forcing the General Assembly to keep trying to buck the trend year after year after year.

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

Thank you @GovernorVA for blocking the latest push to legalize “skill” games in Virginia 🙌. These predatory, dangerous, and ILLEGAL machines have no place in the Commonwealth.#StopShadySlots

[Richmond Times-Dispatch @RTDNEWS]

Spanberger vetoes skill games bill https://t.co/WOwwbxLY56

[Tyler Englander @TylerEnglander]

Breaking: @GovernorVA has vetoed a bill to legalize skill games in Virginia.

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

Thank you @GovernorVA for protecting Virginians from the dangers of “skill” games! #NoShadySlots

[Brandon Jarvis @Jaaavis]

Gov. Spanberger said no to skill games

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

Former Tazewell Councilmember says, "Virginia's communities deserve protection from predatory industries, not a continual onslaught from an industry that has spent nearly a decade breaking the law." 🔥
@roanoketimes

[Virginia Moose Lodges @VirginiaMoose]

“Skill” slot machine manufacturers Virginia business plan:
1. Flood Virginia with tens of thousands of illegal “skill” slot machines,
2. Operate unregulated without state approval for as many years as possible,
3. Confuse and lie to Virginia small business owners with bogus claims of legality,
4. Confuse state & local law enforcement
with bogus claims of legality,
5. File as many frivolous lawsuits as possible,
6. Continue to operate illegally even after the Virginia General Assembly explicitly bans the “skill” game machines,
7. Operate even after the VA Supreme Court upholds the ban,
8. Continue bogus claims of legality even after the Virginia Attorney General reaffirms the illegality of the machines in a OAG memo to state prosecutors, sheriffs and police chiefs,
9. 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲…and 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 ONLY 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻…

The Commonwealth should not reward
those that have mocked state law.
@GovernorVA @SpanbergerForVA @bonnie_krenz @AGJayJones @jonesjay

Read more: https://t.co/65Yynuiv84

[Veterans of Foreign Wars of Virginia @VFWofVirginia]

Joanne Smith, a 32 year veteran of the U.S. Army & Virginia Army National Guard, says Ray Clemons, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police of Virginia, got it right in his in public letter to the Governor on March 15:

“𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘸 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴. 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘝𝘪𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘢.”

@GovernorVA @SpanbergerForVA
Link to story: https://t.co/6WV3w6bEgZ

[Veterans of Foreign Wars of Virginia @VFWofVirginia]

“𝙎𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡” 𝙨𝙡𝙤𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙠𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙑𝙞𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙖 by Joanne Smith of the Virginia Veterans of Foreign Wars. Joanne served 32 years in the U.S. Army & VA Army National Guard. @GovernorVA @AGJayJones @SpanbergerForVA

Story: https://t.co/6WV3w6bEgZ

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

@hkhanna is spot on: “If lawmakers want to get a handle on the Commonwealth’s skill game problem, they should uphold the ban and strengthen enforcement to send a clear message: In Virginia, you don't get to create the crisis and then sell the cure.” 🔥

[Harry Khanna @hkhanna]

At a time when the rule of law feels more fragile than ever, Virginia should not be in the business of rewarding those who treat it as optional.

https://t.co/RL73OuLwkZ

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

🚨REMINDER: “Skill” game operators want Virginia lawmakers to reward them after years of breaking the law.🚨

Law enforcement organizations in Virginia are urging them not to:

[Tyler Englander @TylerEnglander]

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.

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

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

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

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

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

@_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

[Daily Press @Daily_Press]

Column: Skill games and casinos are a threat to affordability in Virginia https://t.co/ihOVaWTWqM

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

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

[Richmond Times-Dispatch @RTDNEWS]

Stop skill games before the addiction crisis begins | Guest column https://t.co/AzvbMd96q4

[Tyler Englander @TylerEnglander]

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.

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

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

[Brandon Jarvis @Jaaavis]

Rumors are circulating that the skill games conference report will include an opt out clause for localities. Several Northern Virginia localities sent legislators a letter asking for it to be opt in, instead.

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

📪ICYMI: Faith Leaders from Across the Commonwealth Send Letter Asking Lawmakers to Uphold Ban on “Skill” Games

Read: https://t.co/xECzpiOGkt

[Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines @StopShadySlots]

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