Hospitality businesses need relief NOW - Contact your legislators to tell them NO to moving Games of Skill revenue away from business!
As you may recall, during the reconvened session in April the Governor had amended the legislation that would ban "Games of Skill" to allow for them to continue for one year. The measures would allow them to remain in operation for another year so Virginia could collect taxes on the machines to help finance a COVD-19 relief fund. The fund was created with the intent to help "businesses impacted by the public health crisis." VRLTA was very supportive of the creation of this fund.
Regrettably, we have learned that in the House and Senate budget bills (HB5005 and SB5015) just over $95 million of the "Games of Skill" funding is being redirected from helping businesses impacted by the pandemic to "Direct Aid to Public Education." This is problematic as many hospitality and tourism related businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and others had been counting on this relief fund to aid them during this public health crisis.
It's critical that you contact your members of the Virginia General Assembly TODAY, and the Governor's office and urge them to oppose this change to the "Games of Skill" COVID-19 Relief Fund.
