Virginia lawmakers join gambling lobbyists on private jet to Illinois to study games

Virginia lawmakers join gambling lobbyists on private jet to Illinois to study games

Article brief provided by Richmond Times-Dispatch
  • Patrick Wilson, Richmond Times-Dispatch
July 23, 2021 6:50 PM
  • Patrick Wilson, Richmond Times-Dispatch

State lawmakers who want to bring new gambling machines to Virginia convenience stores and restaurants took a private jet to Illinois with company lobbyists to see the slot machines up close and spend a night in downtown Chicago.

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The trip is not illegal and the lawmakers got permission from a state ethics council that includes some of their colleagues, but it illustrates how gambling interests are stepping up attempts to influence legislation as they compete against each other to convince lawmakers to approve their games, which are like slot machines in a casino. The lawmakers must disclose the gifts.

Sen. John Bell, D-Loudoun, who has filed legislation to bring the machines to Virginia, and Sen. Jeremy McPike, D-Prince William, who heads a state Senate subcommittee on gaming, went on the trip. Also on board were Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, and Del. Will Morefield, R-Tazewell.