RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Despite the General Assembly recently rejecting his amendments to a bill meant to legalize skill games in Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin said there could still be a path forward.
Youngkin told reporters that he still has “serious concerns” about the bill currently sitting on his desk, but said he wants to keep the dialogue going.
Youngkin said he is willing to re-think his amendments prohibiting skill games within 35 miles of a casino and within 2,500 feet of a school or place of worship.
“I think the unintended consequences of that are real and we can address that,” Youngkin said. “The 35-mile perimeter is something that has been in previous gambling legislation, particularly casino bills, and we had a lot of discussions around that, and as I said, I can work with legislators to address both of those topics.”
Gas station owner Munir Rassiwala said while he’s relieved to hear Youngkin is considering changes to the perimeter language, he also wants Youngkin to change other aspects of his amendments, including language that would delay legalization until July 2025.
“The whole reason we have been coming to the General Assembly since November, knocking on every door, every place, getting support is because we need it July 1,” Rassiwala told 8News.
As for how the process could work with the General Assembly session already over, Youngkin said language legalizing skill games could still be included in the upcoming state budget.
“Remember we do have a budget coming up, and so there is things we can possibly do to address all of that,” Youngkin said.
Given his problems with the current bill on his desk, it’s likely Youngkin will veto that one while lawmakers continue to discuss a compromise as part of the budget.
