A Virginia judge dismissed a case challenging the state’s ban on skill games Monday, setting up greater enforcement of the ban starting Wednesday. 

The skill games, which are often found in convenience stores and other small businesses, are an unregulated form of gambling. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares is among those who hoped to crack down on the unregulated form of gambling.

The American Gaming Association was pleased with the court ruling. 

“Illegal gambling — in all its forms — is a scourge on communities across the country: preying on vulnerable customers, contributing to other crime, and cheating states out of needed tax dollars,” Chris Cylke, the AGA’s senior vice president of government relations, said in a statement to US Bets. “So-called ‘skill’ machines have long operated outside the lines in Virginia, and their operators have demonstrated they will stop at nothing to protect their profits. This decision rightly affirms Virginia’s prerogative to regulate gambling activity within its borders, and it’s now up to law enforcement to ensure these predatory machines are removed from communities across the Commonwealth.” 

While increased enforcement can begin Wednesday, some locations in Virginia are expected to have local authorities begin checking businesses for their compliance with the skill game law in early 2024. The delay allows businesses times to ensure they aren’t offering unregulated games. 

October casino revenue nears $50 million

Virginia’s three operational and regulated casinos are likely pleased by the skill game ruling, as it could limit the in-person gambling opportunities for customers in the state to solely legal options.

The Virginia Lottery released its monthly casino revenue report Wednesday, sharing that the state’s three brick-and-mortar casinos combined to generate gaming revenue of $49.6 million in October. That resulted in $9.1 million in monthly tax revenue for the state. 

Rivers Casino Portsmouth led all Virginia casinos in monthly revenue, creating $20 million in adjusted gaming revenue in October. Caesars Virginia generated $16.8 million in adjusted gaming revenue, and Hard Rock Bristol accounted for $12.3 million in revenue. 

Slots accounted for just over $37 million of the monthly revenue, while table games were responsible for more than $12 million in monthly gaming revenue.

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