Rhoda Young Reporting Live

SKETCHING BY RHODAYOUNGLIVE

Virginia Amusement Coalition
Talking Points
Impact Time frame 2007 onwards
Small Business have been under constant threat from organized competition like WAWA, Sheetz and other major organized chains. Margins got squeezed, sales volume dropped. Mom and Pop store owner worked longer hours to continue to make ends meet and pay the bills.
Key Points
1) FY 2020 - Covid shutdown occurred, Small Business (Gas Station and Convenience store) became essential business. Major grocery store would close at 7PM but some of the remote gas station would remain open till 11pm, to ensure that customer got their food and groceries. With drop in business, store owner kept the employees on payroll best they could - this was done through a combination of reduced profit and some help from Payroll protection program.
2) Small Business owners supported the initiative to increase mimumum wage across the Commonwealth from $ 9 to $ 15 (FY 2025). Manufacturer passed on this increase to us through price increase in product cost across the board. But we as Small business facing tough competition could pass the same to consumers. Our Margins got squeezed further.
3) Climate Change is real, we have children and we also want to ensure that we leave a better world for the next generation. Virginia adopted California Emission standards, we supported it. Better Fuel efficiency and electrification of the vehicle market, meant loss of Fuel gallons for our industry. This has a significant impact on our sales overall. Further affecting our ability to survive in the market with organized competition that office Tesla super charges etc.
We as Small business have always welcomed any change that might have negative impact on our margins and or sales as long as it was for the greater good of the people of the Commonwealth. In FY 2020 Governor Northam passed and executive order to help small business keep skill games in a legal manner. We were regulated - We registered our games, got stickers from ABC authority, collected and paid taxes to the tune of $ 130M to the commonwealth in 1 Fiscal year.

commonwealth in 1 Fiscal year.
All of sudden the big casinos from Nevada and other states were interested in the Virginia Market. Through their strong network of lobbyist and big money, they got approved for 5 casino's. Small businesses that have been the backbone of the Commonwealth, worked through every crisis were banned to operated Skill games.
Virginia Approved Gaming across the commonwealth
WINNERS
Casino's got approval for 5 location. They have been on referendum ballot twice for Richmond Rosie's got more location approval.
Sport betting got legalized.
Lottery started online gaming and retailer kiosk.
E-Sport is legal across the commonwealth.
LOSER'S
Small Business stores - Owner's, Employees and their families
Another myth is that Small Business owner having Skill games affect Lottery and Casino's revenue numbers Lottery has sales of $3.75 B in FY 2022 (This is the highest sales in the history of VA lottery)
Casino's have collected $ 154M in net AGR (Wagers minus Winning) in 3 month between 3 casino's
Small Business want the bad actors out, the so called game room needs to close. We are asking for meaningful regulation. Cap on number of games per store, where it can installed (Like Gas Stations, Bars, Restaurants and Truck stops. We want age restriction and stick rules on tax collections.

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