Published on: March 23, 2026, 11:06h.
Updated on: March 23, 2026, 12:08h.
- Supporters of Virginia’s skill games in Richmond have garnered substantial campaign funding
- Virginia legislators have delivered a bill to the governor aimed at legalizing and overseeing slot-like games
- Aaron Rouse has initiated legal action against the NFL, claiming wrongful denial of disability benefits
Recent campaign finance disclosures illustrate that Virginia legislators had ample incentives to back the return of contentious slot-like gaming machines at local stores.
Earlier this month, lawmakers in Richmond approved a compromise under Senate Bill 661. If Governor Abigail Spanberger (D) signs or allows this bill to become law, it would authorize the operation of up to 25,000 skill games throughout Virginia.
Known as Queen of Virginia, these gaming terminals incorporate both skill and chance elements, enabling players to influence their payout rates. The machines were briefly legalized during the COVID-19 crisis but the provision lapsed on July 1, 2021, although legal battles allowed the machines to remain in operation until October 2023.
Georgia-based Pace-O-Matic (POM) is a key player in the skill game market. Lobbying disclosures by the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) indicate that POM has invested millions into Virginia’s political arena recently.
Numerous supporters of SB611, including bill sponsor Sen. Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach), have benefitted significantly from POM’s financial contributions.
SB611 permits businesses located at least 10 miles from a casino to operate skill games. Regulatory oversight falls under the Virginia Lottery Board, with maximum bets set at $5 and winnings capped at $4,000. The minimum age for participation is 21 years, and Virginia will receive a 25% share of the gross revenue from each skill game.
Campaign Contributions for Virginia Skill Games
According to VPAP, Pace-O-Matic has invested over $3.57 million in Virginia since 2023.
Virginia Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), known as the “Casino Queen” of Virginia for her long-standing campaign to establish casinos in the state, received $142,500 from POM, along with an additional $22,500 from POM CEO Paul Goldean. Lucas has continuously supported SB611, even though skill games may detract from casino patronage. Rouse was also notably rewarded by POM for his support of SB611, with his campaigns receiving $335,000 from POM and its leaders.
Another significant beneficiary of POM’s contributions was Del. Don Scott (D-Portsmouth), who received $121,000 from POM and its affiliates. Scott consistently voted in favor of SB611.
Spanberger has not yet expressed her position on SB611. However, POM also contributed to the governor, but these donations came only after her successful gubernatorial campaign last November, including a $50,000 donation for her Inaugural Committee.
Response from Rouse
Rouse emphasizes that his legislation aims to benefit Virginians and small enterprises.
“I am advocating in the General Assembly for critical issues: affordable housing, accessible healthcare, meaningful transparency, protected voting rights, and good-paying employment,” Rouse stated.
Proponents of skill games argue that the increased revenue has enabled small businesses to prevent layoffs during periods of high inflation.
Recently, Rouse, a former NFL player, filed a lawsuit against the NFL, claiming improper denial of disability benefits. Rouse played in the NFL for three years and asserts that he is “totally impaired” due to multiple concussions.
“The medical evidence from various treating physicians, such as Dr. Felix Kirven, Dr. Scott Sautter, and Dr. Alan Wagner, substantiates Rouse’s assertion of being permanently disabled due to the cumulative consequences of multiple concussions and other injuries sustained throughout his NFL career,” refers to Rouse’s legal documents.