Casino gambling and convenience store slot-style machines are becoming a flashpoint in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor.
The politics of gambling are taking center stage in the hotly contested Democratic primary for lieutenant governor, which has six candidates. During a recent televised debate, the candidates clashed over casinos and skill games – the slot-machine style games in convenience stores and truck stops. Victor Salgado accused the competition of putting donors ahead of constituents.
“Unfortunately, we have Senator Hashmi and Senator Rouse who are financing their campaigns with big casino money, with skill gaming money,” Salgado said.
Hashmi and Rouse framed their support for casino gambling and skill games as helping small businesses and creating union jobs. Former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney said he was in favor of a casino somewhere in Northern Virginia but not in Tysons Corner, where many residents are in opposition to the proposal.
“They do not want to see a casino there, so I support the residents on this one,” Stoney said.
So far, the General Assembly has not approved of legalizing skill games or allowing a casino in Tysons Corner. But those are almost certain to come up again, though the lieutenant governor only votes in the event of a tie in the Senate.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
