Virginia’s Democratic-led legislature has approved a measure to allow “skill game” gambling machines statewide, sending it to Gov. Abigail Spanberger for a decision. The effort has drawn scrutiny due to financial ties between supporters and Pace-O-Matic, the company that makes the machines.
Since 2023, Pace-O-Matic and its executives have given more than $1.7 million to Democrats in Virginia, with large contributions during the 2025 elections when the party regained control of the legislature. Soon after the 2026 session began in Richmond, lawmakers introduced bills in both chambers to legalize the machines.
State Sen. Aaron Rouse led the Senate push. Records show he received more than $140,000 directly from Pace-O-Matic and its executives between 2023 and 2026, along with $195,000 in 2025 from a PAC funded largely by the company. Over that period, the company ranked among his top donors.
Rouse also backed a similar proposal in 2024, which failed amid disagreements with the then-Republican governor.
Supporters Cite Revenue And Regulation
Supporters say regulation could benefit small businesses and generate state revenue. Skill games, commonly found in convenience stores, truck stops, and restaurants despite being illegal, resemble slot machines but are marketed as involving player skill.
Del. Cliff Hayes, sponsor of the House bill, has received about $37,000 from Pace-O-Matic since 2023. He said, “My support for this legislation is grounded in public policy concerns that long predate any campaign contributions and are centered on transparency, enforcement, and fiscal responsibility for the Commonwealth. They are not based on any single contributor or entity.”
Hayes has argued legalization would replace a large illegal market with a regulated, taxed system.
Other Democrats tied to the effort, including Louise Lucas, Don Scott, Debra Gardner, and Rozia Henson, have also accepted contributions from the company and its executives.
Critics Warn Of Social And Ethical Risks
Opposition voices have raised concerns about both the influence of campaign donations and the broader effects of expanded gambling. Critics argue the situation reflects pay-to-play politics and question whether financial backing has shaped legislative priorities.
Law enforcement representatives have also expressed reservations. Ray Clemons, president of the Virginia Fraternal Order of Police, criticized the proposal, saying, “When you violate the law, there’s consequences for violating the law; you should not be rewarded with, we’re going to forget about all the violations of law that you had, and we’re just going to go ahead and make this legal now.”
Clemons also warned about potential public safety issues linked to the machines’ presence in local businesses. “They draw in a certain element because people know that there are people in there playing on these games and they have money to spend,” he said.
Opponents further argue that expanded access to gambling could worsen addiction problems and place financial strain on vulnerable communities.
The legislation now awaits the governor’s decision. Records show Pace-O-Matic also contributed $50,000 to Spanberger’s 2026 inaugural committee, adding another layer to the ongoing debate over the bill’s future.
Source:
“Virginia Democrats push gambling bill after taking massive donations from gambling company”, washingtonexaminer.com, March 22, 2026
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