The long-running and hard-fought General Assembly battle over skill games is coming down to how much tougher Virginia will be than other states that allow the slot machine-like devices in convenience stores, gas stations and truck stops:
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“There are over 90,000 of these games that are illegal that are out there. This bill puts a cap on that,” said state Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, arguing for his Senate Bill 661.
“If they really want to be regulated, then they should embrace the House version,” said Del. Paul Krizek, D-Fairfax, referring to the manufacturers who’ve been providing the financial and organizational muscle for what’s now a multiyear push for legalization of skill games.
Not to be missed: DATA CENTERS IN VIRGINIA | TIMES-DISPATCH SPECIAL REPORT
Read the stories from the Richmond Times-Dispatch's three-day series on data centers and the key issues they pose.
Proponents say data centers bring localities enormous revenues and opportunities. Opponents raise concerns about their big demands for power and compatibility with neighborhoods.
Data center developers are now eyeing the Richmond area. While counties welcome the sites' tax revenues, residents' concerns have prompted developers to withdraw some proposals and Henrico imposed further oversight.
These buildings that house key IT infrastructure are big, expensive and need a lot of energy but promise big revenues for localities.
The state's telecommunications infrastructure, tax breaks, workforce and officials' welcoming attitude have helped make Virginia the world's data center capital.
The 451 now running in Virginia, home to the largest concentration of data centers in the world, currently use 3,583 megawatts, or enough electricity to power nearly 896,000 homes.
Virginia’s data center boom means new terms to understand. Here are some key words and phrases.
The state's data center boom is the subtext to increasingly intense politicking over longtime Virginia issues — climate change, electricity rates and the powers of local governments.
President Donald Trump has issued a series of executive orders removing barriers to expanding the electric grid's ability to serve data centers necessary to advance artificial intelligence and other power-hungry technologies.
NewsVu: DATA CENTERS IN VIRGINIA | RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH SPECIAL REPORT
IF YOU MISSED IT: Read The Times-Dispatch's special report on data centers in Virginia by aiming your cellphone camera at the QR code and tapp…
