ALXNow: Councilman Aguirre pushes back against skill games legalization bill, citing harms
February 5, 2026
Alexandria City Councilman Canek Aguirre has asked state lawmakers to oppose a bill that would legalize skill games in Virginia, citing harmful impacts of the games on local business owners.
The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Aaron Rouse (D-22), calls for the regulation and taxation of skill game machines. It would cap the number of machines in Virginia at 35,000, impose an $800 gaming tax per machine and limit wagers from users to $5 per play. It was rereferred last week to the Finance and Appropriations Committee.
In a letter to the State Senate’s General Laws and Technology Subcommittee, Aguirre said skill games hurt local businesses and residents, rather than bring economic opportunity.
The letter references an Arlandria business owner who was fined and faced criminal charges for operating the machines. Aguirre has long advocated against the machines and has said that they prey on immigrant communities.
“This is not a story of economic opportunity. It is a warning,” Aguirre wrote. “Skill games are not the lifeline some small businesses think they are. They are a trap, especially in working-class and immigrant communities, shifting risk onto our neighbors who can least afford it.”
