The opening of the proposed Richmond casino has already been postponed by officials for a minimum of nine months, while voters are yet to determine the fate of One Casino + Resort.
The $560 million project will be put up for a vote in November, allowing voters in the capital city of Virginia to determine its fate.
If voters approve a casino referendum in November’s Election Day, Urban One and its partners at Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (PPE) will be responsible for constructing and running the facility in South Richmond.
Nevertheless, the scheduled timeline for the opening of the Richmond casino has already been postponed.
Richmond casino opening pushed back
Urban One is the leading broadcasting company in the US, headquartered in Washington DC, and proudly known for being the largest African-American-owned media conglomerate.
Urban One, supported by PPE, the owner of Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums and Colonial Downs racetrack in Virginia, emerged as the victor among five competing proposals for the Richmond casino project.
Mayor Levar Stoney informed the Richmond City Council in May that officials were aiming for a Dec. 31, 2025 opening date for a casino in Richmond.
Leonard L. Sledge, Richmond’s economic development director, recently shared a revised timeline. According to him, the new target for the casino’s opening is October 2025. However, there is a possibility that the attached hotel might face a delay and open in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Reason for One Casino + Resort delay
Sledge attributed the delay to the casino regulator in Virginia.
During his address to the council’s Organizational Development Committee, Sledge stated:
We have no control over the Virginia Lottery, as it is the only factor beyond our influence.
Before the issue can be put on the ballot for Richmond voters, the VA Lottery is required to grant preliminary approval to the city’s selection of a casino developer and the proposed site at Commerce Road and Walmsley Boulevard.
Once approved, lotto officials will carry out an extensive investigation into the company’s background before granting a casino license.
Richmond now even later to Virginia casino party
The casino referendum in Richmond has been scheduled for November 2, which puts it a whole year behind four other Virginia cities. These cities had already approved casinos by a significant majority on Election Day in 2020.
Virginia, a state previously lacking in casino gambling, will soon provide multiple options for its residents. However, One Casino + Resort is already facing a disadvantage.
These are the scheduled opening dates for the other Virginia casino-resorts:
- The anticipated opening date for Bristol’s Hard Rock Casino and Resort is set for late 2022. However, there is a possibility that a temporary casino might open earlier.
- In 2025, the Caesars Casino Resort will be opening in Danville, California.
- Portsmouth, Rivers Portsmouth Casino Resort is set to open in the fall of 2022.
- In 2025, the HeadWaters Resort & Casino will be located in Norfolk.
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