Have you noticed all our posts lately about Skill Gaming?
This was a big year for the entire topic! Let’s go back and recap what happened, earlier 2020. At the beginning of the year, the General Assembly voted to ban Skill Gaming, in Virginia. Skill Gaming is the Slot –Machine looking devices that are in convenience stores, truck stops and restaurants. A player puts cash money in and if they win, they get a printed ticket that is redeemable for cash. For the last couple of years, these machines have been circulating throughout Virginia and there has been some controversy about these games – is it gambling or is it skill gaming? It was decided and Skill Gaming was banned. Then…COVID-19 happened. Somewhere in the middle of COVID-19, coronavirus, economic panic and executive orders….the Governor overturned the ban on Skill Gaming.
Now, the Skill Gaming distributers will pay a monthly $1,200 tax, to the COVID-19 Relief Fund. And the Virginia ABC Authority is regulating the Skill Games, the taxes, the placement, the alcohol licenses needed and the business’s compliance.
This has given ABC Consulting some new and exciting responsibilities, too. More detailed training for our alcohol licensees (when they carry the machines) that can be found here. We have also learned all the compliance laws, regulations about taxes, placement and relocation. We can even help you do your reporting. ABC Consulting is all about being your bridge to the VA ABC Authority, making the difficult understandable, and getting things done in short order–all while staying compliant. We ARE your compliance experts. What happens when you aren’t compliant? We can even help you prepare for a hearing.
All this talk, today, about Skill Gaming and Compliance is to introduce you to a new licensee (you must have an alcohol license in order to legally have Skill Gaming): Spades Game Room!
Spades Game Room has games, serves alcohol and boast a smoking-fast and free WiFi! They are located in Weber City, Virginia, which is just minutes from Tennessee (across from Burger King on Route 23 North). They serve refreshments, have a sweet and friendly staff – and now they have a Beer Off Premises alcohol license. Go check them out! While you are there find Virginia Games with Sparky’s Firedog, The Benjamin Game, Stampeding Buffalo, and even Fishing! Go and try your skills!
We are delighted that we keep getting license applications across our desk – Virginia is resilient, hopeful, and apparently still having fun.
Are you running Skill Games in your business? Visit this link to register and take the TOAST Academy Alcohol training. Or call 800-785-0161 to schedule a consultation call, if you have questions.
Spades Game Room
2834 US Hwy 23 N, Weber City VA 24290
Hours: 1:00pm-1:00am (kids are welcome until 8pm).
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