Boyd Melchor News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

RICHMOND — Boyd Melchor says he’s seen a decline in customers since unplugging the skill game machines at his bars in Hampton Roads. “I would say there’s been about a 3-5% reduction,” he said. “That’s a lot for a small business.” Melchor is the owner of Kelly’s Tavern, a local franchise spanning from Newport News to Virginia Beach. He reluctantly switched off the devices in November as ...

A Senate committee passed a bill Monday that would tax and legalize the slot machine-like devices and task the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority with oversight.

Several state legislators have asked Gov. Glenn Youngkin to hold off on enforcing a ban on skill games. A recent decision by the Virginia Supreme Court allows the state to begin enforcement of a ban on the devices.

Melchor explained it’s not just the money that players put into the machine but also overall sales are down as well as tips.

On Nov. 26, the VBPD, the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office and the Virginia Beach City Attorney's office will resume enforcing the illegal gambling code sections related to "Skill Games."