VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Tuesday marks the second day of protests regarding Governor Youngkin's suggested changes to the skill games bill.
The proposed amendments would not allow stores within 35 miles of a casino or horse racing track to install skill games. It would also raise the tax rate on profits to 35%. They can also not be installed within 2,500 feet of a school, daycare, or church.
Politics
Skilled games amendment prompts 'two days of action' to make Gov. reconsider
Tuesday, some convenience stores in the area will close from 3:50 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.
“We are hard working people, we are here day in day out. We are the people who bring in a lot of tax revenue, because we collect the sales tax, we collect the gas tax," said Bhavin Patel, owner of one of the stores that closed its doors.
Monday, they stopped the sale of lottery tickets for the day.
“A lot of times you might see me or my wife at this location working because we are not able to afford extra employees," Patel said.
"His proposed amendments represent necessary changes and the added protections to the legislation address his serious concerns with the regulatory structure, tax rates, the number of machines, impact on the Virginia Lottery and broader public safety implications of the proposal," Youngkin's press secretary said in a statement last week.
Watch previous coverage: Skilled gaming machines can't be near casinos, Youngkin proposes
This is part of the plan from the Virginia Merchants and Amusement Coalition. They want to show Youngkin what could happen to the state revenue if these convenience stores close down—something that they think could happen if these skill games go away in Hampton Roads. They have a rally planned outside the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond on Wednesday.
