The legal limbo in Virginia over devices known colloquially as “skill games” is over and localities across the Commonwealth.
Legislation passed the General Assembly in 2020 to define the video-based games as “illegal gambling devices” but an injunction was filed in Emporia Circuit Court that called enforcement into question. In October, the Virginia Supreme Court upheld the General Assembly.
Since then, the devices have become commonplace in convenience stores across the region but Commonwealth’s Attorney offices in both Albemarle and Charlottesville indicated today their days are numbered.
“Enforcement of relevant provisions of law related to ‘Skill Games’ will begin in the City of Charlottesville and the County of Albemarle on January 1, 2024,” reads Albemarle’s press release. “Civil penalties include but are not limited to seizure of the gambling device and a fine in the amount of $25,000. Criminal penalties include but are not limited to confinement in jail for up to twelve months and/or a fine of up to $2,500.”
Already at least one convenience store on Cherry Avenue has unplugged the machines.
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