We oppose any effort to legalize or normalize neighborhood slot machines in Virginia. Often marketed as “skill games,” these machines are illegal under Virginia law and operate around the clock in convenience stores, gas stations, and other neighborhood locations. They are a nuisance to our communities and a threat to our quality of life.

Skill game machines do not deliver meaningful economic benefits. Instead, they siphon money from households, increase the risk of addiction, and undermine the family friendly character that defines Virginia communities.

As Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney Roy Blevins recently warned:

“From a public safety perspective, and from the personal perspective of a dad to three young boys, I am strongly opposed to illegal gambling and so-called skill game machines. These machines function as modern one-armed bandits, stealing money from citizens in an already economically strained region. They represent more than entertainment. They operate in gray areas of regulation, are highly addictive, and blur lines between skill and chance. They have real consequences for families, vulnerable individuals, and communities.”

That warning should resonate across Virginia, where families expect neighborhood spaces to be safe, appropriate, and free from predatory activity.

We urge local and state leaders, law enforcement, and regulators to enforce existing Virginia law and remove illegal gambling machines from our neighborhoods. We also invite civic organizations, neighborhood associations, business groups, faith leaders, and concerned residents to sign the petition and join our growing coalition opposing neighborhood slot machines. This is a shared effort to protect families, uphold the law, and preserve the character of Northern Virginia.

Virginia Residents are also encouraged to sign and  TAKE ACTION HERE by reaching out to your elected officials and by visiting  stopneighborhoodslots.com for more information.

 

Reasons we are concerned about neighborhood slots in our communities include:

Social Impact

Expanding and legalizing these convenience store slot machines can lead to an increase in gambling addiction, especially among the most vulnerable populations. Crime rates have been shown to rise within the proximity of unregulated gaming establishments.

Economic Impacts/Jobs

These “skill games” have little meaningful economic impact on our communities. Research has consistently shown that the introduction of skill games can often lead to increased bankruptcy rates among local residents and small businesses due to gambling addiction and financial strain.

Negative Social Impacts on Vulnerable Communities

These machines tend to disproportionately affect low-income individuals who are more susceptible to gambling addiction and its associated consequences, such as financial ruin and family breakdowns. Research from Freedom Virginia? has shown skill games are placed in areas targeting lower-income communities.

Preservation of Community Values

Northern Virginia prides itself on being a family-friendly community with strong values rooted in community meeting places and activities. Parents take their families to convenience stores for a treat, toy, or snack. Having neighborhood slot machines in the window operating around the clock is the antithesis of a family outing.

Protect families. Enforce the law. Stop neighborhood slots.