Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with the governor's recommendations and pass a bill that establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and amends gambling regulations.

Highlights:

• Establishes within the state treasury a special non-reverting fund known as the COVID-19 Relief Fund, which shall be comprised of gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds that shall solely be used for the purposes of responding to the states needs related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic (Sec. 1).

• Amends the definition of “illegal gambling” to include the playing or offering for play of any skill game (Sec. 1).

• Defines “skill game” as any electronic, computerized, or mechanical contrivance, terminal, machine, or other device that requires the insertion of a coin, currency, ticket, token, or similar object to operate, activate, or play a game, the outcome of which is determined by the element of skill of the player, and that may deliver or entitle the individual playing to receive the following in exchange for cash or anything of value (Sec. 1):

• Cash or cash equivalents;

• Gift cards, vouchers, or billets; and

• Tickets, tokens, or electronic credits.

• Defines “skill” as the knowledge, dexterity, or other ability or expertise of a natural person (Sec. 1).

• Requires that beginning July 1, 2021, distributors remit a monthly tax to the Department of Taxation of $1,200 for each skill game the distributor provided for play in the state during the previous month (Sec. 2).

• Defines “distributor” as any individual that manufactures and sells skill games, including software and hardware, and distributes such devices to an Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) retail license or truck stop (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the Department to allocate the following percentages of tax revenue to various funds, programs, and authorities, including (Sec. 2):

• 2 percent to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund;

• 2 percent to the Virginia ABC Authority;

• 12 percent to the localities in which skills games are located; and

• 84 percent to the COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with the governor's recommendations and pass a bill that establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and amends gambling regulations.

Highlights:

• Establishes within the state treasury a special non-reverting fund known as the COVID-19 Relief Fund, which shall be comprised of gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds that shall solely be used for the purposes of responding to the states needs related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic (Sec. 1).

• Amends the definition of “illegal gambling” to include the playing or offering for play of any skill game (Sec. 1).

• Defines “skill game” as any electronic, computerized, or mechanical contrivance, terminal, machine, or other device that requires the insertion of a coin, currency, ticket, token, or similar object to operate, activate, or play a game, the outcome of which is determined by the element of skill of the player, and that may deliver or entitle the individual playing to receive the following in exchange for cash or anything of value (Sec. 1):

• Cash or cash equivalents;

• Gift cards, vouchers, or billets; and

• Tickets, tokens, or electronic credits.

• Defines “skill” as the knowledge, dexterity, or other ability or expertise of a natural person (Sec. 1).

• Requires that beginning July 1, 2021, distributors remit a monthly tax to the Department of Taxation of $1,200 for each skill game the distributor provided for play in the state during the previous month (Sec. 2).

• Defines “distributor” as any individual that manufactures and sells skill games, including software and hardware, and distributes such devices to an Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) retail license or truck stop (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the Department to allocate the following percentages of tax revenue to various funds, programs, and authorities, including (Sec. 2):

• 2 percent to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund;

• 2 percent to the Virginia ABC Authority;

• 12 percent to the localities in which skills games are located; and

• 84 percent to the COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Full Bill Text

Signed by Governor Ralph Northam