Virginia Court Upholds Operation of Queen of Virginia Skill 2
Virginia's ongoing battle over skill games took a turn when a judge ruled in favor of Pace-O-Matic's new Queen of Virginia Skill 2 (QVS2). The court determined that a simple adjustment to the payment method made the game legal, as it no longer falls under the state's ban on gambling devices activated by coins, tickets, or tokens.
Here’s the skinny: Skill games were initially outlawed in Virginia back in 2020, with enforcers arguing they were the same as illegal slot machines. However, a brief reprieve occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic, offering small businesses a bit of relief.
Attorney General Jason Miyares saw things a bit differently. When the modified QVS2 machines started popping up in 2023, he issued a warning stating that the change was merely cosmetic, and the machines were still technically illegal.
Judge Hugh McConnell's decision dismissed charges against a store owner who offered the updated QVS2 machines, given the fact that they don't require players to insert money directly. Instead, players hand cash to the machine operator, who then unlocks the game.
Governor Glenn Youngkin was not impressed. He accused POM of betraying trust with the state and claimed they could have negotiated more honestly about legalizing the games.
The court's ruling also raised concerns about the law's ambiguity, making it difficult for businesses to understand which games are allowed. In 2024, attempts to revise the rules failed, with lawmakers rejecting Youngkin's proposal for stricter oversight over skill games. As a result, he vetoed a bill that would have legalized them.
Virginia's officials are still likely to push for changes in the future. The status of skill games in the state may change with potential legal battles or legislative action. POM introduced the updated version of the QVS2 during the summer of 2023, betting that minor technical changes would protect the machines from legal scrutiny. For now, they've won the gamble.
As you can see, the situation surrounding skill games in Virginia is a messy one, with the fate of the QVS2 machines still up in the air. Keep an eye on this developing story, as further legal challenges and legislative changes may continue to impact the state's gaming landscape.
- The updated QVS2 machines, such as Pace-O-Matic's Queen of Virginia Skill 2 (QVS2), are redefining the casino-and-gambling landscape in Virginia, as they no longer require players to insert tokens or coins directly.
- In a court ruling, Judge Hugh McConnell dismissed charges against a store owner who offered the updated QVS2 machines, determining that the simple adjustment to the payment method makes the games legal under the county's laws.
- Attorneys General in Virginia, like Jason Miyares, argue that the changed QVS2 machines are still technically casino-games, despite their altered mode of payment, and therefore illegal.
- The ambiguity surrounding the legality of skill games in Virginia has led to complicated situations for small businesses, with efforts to revise the rules failing in 2024, leaving the status of the QVS2 machines in question.
