Bristol, Va. convenience stores stop lottery sales in protest skill game amendments

BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) — Customers at some small business convenience stores in Bristol, Virginia were met with signs on Monday telling them there would be no lottery sales.

This decision was in protest of a measure backed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to restrict where people can play skill games. Plus, the measure would add a 35% tax on the game’s profits.

Regular lottery customers for Gold Star Exxon on State Street, like David Couch, didn’t realize there was a protest until coming inside the store and trying to buy a ticket.

“I’m disappointed today,” Couch said. “Because we can’t get lottery tickets.”

Regular lottery customer Bert Whittaker agrees with the convenience store’s decision.

“It’s America,” said Whittaker. “You should have the right to choose. If they’ve got the game, you should be allowed to play them anywhere.”

Amendments to a bill that is meant to legalize skill games in the commonwealth would also restrict where they could go. Games wouldn’t be allowed within 2,500 feet of a school or place of worship or 35 miles from a casino with skill games.

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Gold Star Exxon is a little over two miles from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Bristol.

“[Bristol has] churches here and there,” said Alpesh Patel, owner of Hillbilly Food Store, another convenience store protesting the measure. “[The city] has some schools, so it’s not fair enough rules for everyone.”

About eight to ten other convenience stores in Bristol joined the protest. Patel said these games bring in a big chunk of change for the small businesses’ pockets. Often, this revenue is used to pay bills.

“The people coming to spend money on skill gaming machines, they’ll win a few dollars here and there,” Patel said. “They’ll buy some of their stuff like cigarettes, groceries, soda, tea, stuff like that, so it helps our sales also.”

The protest may be a gamble for the convenience stores, but workers are hoping customers will help be a voice in the issue.

“I’m telling [customers] to read the sign,” said Gold Star Exxon clerk Sherry Arnold. “Give their thoughts on it. And we’ll go from there. We’re hoping the governor agrees with how we feel about it.”

Some store owners said they plan to close their stores from 3:50 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. Tuesday as a continuation of protest for the measure.

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