Latest articles
Fate of Virginia Skill Games to Depend on Budget Negotiations as Senate, Governor at an Impasse
Virginia senators rejected the amendments Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed to their bill to regulate skill games, sending it back to him unchanged. That makes an outright veto likely, though there remains an opportunity to compromise and write partial amendments into the state’s budget in order to avoid that fate. Democrat lawmakers have clashed with Gov. Youngkin over […]
Gov. Youngkin Amends Virginia Skill Game Bill, Angers Lawmakers and Small Business
After a last-minute veto, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin proposed significant changes to skill games legislation, angering the machines’ proponents. The changes would categorize skill game machines closer to casino-style games, impose restrictions on their numbers and locations, and call for a higher tax rate. While many expected Youngkin’s veto, few anticipated a 75-page bill. While opponents […]
Pennsylvania Gambling Industry Under Threat by Unregulated Skill Games & Declining Population
The Allegheny Institute for Public Policy (AIPP) is sounding the alarm that the proliferation of unregulated skill games may threaten Pennsylvania’s lucrative gambling industry and a declining population will impede growth. Although its policy brief says the industry is currently “coming up aces,” these two trends, in combination, paint a more worrisome picture for the […]
Virginia Gov. Youngkin Blocks Skill Games Bill at Last Moment, Returns to Legislature With Amendments
The fate of skill games in Virginia remains undecided, as Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed the bill at the last possible moment, returning it to the legislature with recommendations for amendment late last night. The nature of the amendments isn’t yet known, though they will be published on the legislature’s website shortly. One possibility is that Gov. Youngkin may […]
Gov. Youngkin’s Inaction Leaves Virginia Skill Games Bill in Limbo as Veto Deadline Looms
A bill that would legalize slots-like skill games across Virginia remains in limbo, awaiting action by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin after earning bipartisan support from the state’s General Assembly. The governor has until Monday, April 8, to take action on any remaining legislation passed during the recent legislative session—including the state budget. If Gov. Youngkin […]
Pennsylvania Skill Game Manufacturers and Operators Fight Philadelphia City Council Ban
G&B Amusements, a distributor of Pace-O-Matic (POM) gaming machines, and Philly-based 7-Eleven franchise owner Tariq Jalil are suing the city of Philadelphia to keep the machines operating in spite of a municipal ban. The lawsuit is an attempt to block legislation passed by Philadelphia City Council last week banning skill machines inside convenience stores and […]
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Declines Appeal in Banilla Skill Games Case, Pace-o-Matic Still Pending
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has declined to hear an appeal by state authorities defending their seizure of gray market “skill game” machines from Banilla Games. That means the Commonwealth Court’s order that the machines be returned to their original owners will stand, and the machines can continue to operate. That case was one of two appeals before the […]
Virginia’s General Assembly Passes Skill Games Bill, Sends to Governor
Virginia lawmakers have passed a bill that legalizes and regulates skill game machines, creating potential competition for the state’s new retail casinos. Next, the bill will head to the governor’s office and, if signed, will legalize the machines four years after Virginia lawmakers voted to ban them. While voted on in 2020, due to COVID-19, […]
Skillz Wins $43M Judgment in AviaGames Patent Infringement Case
After a week-long trial, a California jury backed Skillz’s claim that Pocket7Games, a real-money skill gaming platform by rival operator AviaGames, infringes on its patent. Along with vindication, the jury awarded Skillz $42.89 million in compensation. Avia, the lawsuit argued, stole Skillz’s tech after launching a game on its platform through a business-to-business partnership in […]
Virginia Legislators Consider Two Potential Paths to Skill Gaming Regulation
The 2024 legislative session in Virginia has seen not one but two bills introduced with the aim of legalizing and regulating skill game machines, each with the potential to shape the state’s gambling future. The machines in question resemble slots but include a nominal element of skill to avoid being legally classified as gambling devices. […]
