The opposition emerged victorious in the Richmond casino voting, resulting in the cancellation of the $560 million One Casino + Resort project. The outcome appears to have been determined by a narrow margin.
On Election Night, November 2, the chances of a casino being established in the southern part of the capital city of Virginia appeared bleak.
Throughout Tuesday and into the early hours of Wednesday morning, the outcome of the casino referendum remained uncertain due to the close vote. However, as midday approached, prominent supporters of the casino had all but admitted defeat, acknowledging that their efforts had not been successful.
Richmond casino voting fails
The One Casino + Resort project saw collaboration between Urban One, a media conglomerate headquartered in Maryland, and Peninsula Pacific Entertainment. Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (PPE) is known for its operation of Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums and the Colonial Downs racetrack in Virginia, and they played a significant role in assisting with the casino gaming aspect of the project.
However, after Tuesday’s Richmond casino voting, the project seemed to be completely abandoned the next day.
Alfred Liggins III, the CEO of Urban One, conveyed in an email to PlayVirginia the following statement:
Despite our deep disappointment, our entire Urban One family, including my mother and business partner Cathy Hughes, acknowledge and respect the decision made by the residents of Richmond. Over the past two years, we have dedicated ourselves to creating an expansive and inclusive project called One Casino + Resort. Throughout this journey, we have been fortunate to have the unwavering support of a passionate and dedicated group of individuals, to whom we are forever grateful. We conducted an extensive campaign and firmly believe that Richmond residents have missed a significant opportunity to have a remarkable tourist attraction that would have not only provided financial resources to enhance schools and roads but also enriched the lives of its citizens. As a longstanding member of the Richmond community for the past twenty-two years, Urban One is committed to upholding our tradition of serving and supporting the community.
One Casino + Resort had the potential to become the sole casino in the US with a majority ownership by Black individuals. However, in order for the casino referendum to succeed, it required a basic majority vote. By 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 37,599 people (48.6%) were in favor of the proposal, while 39,824 (51.4%) voted against it. This resulted in a difference of 2,225 votes.
WRIC.com reported that there were still 2,373 mail-in ballots yet to be counted, along with 550 provisional ballots. In simpler terms, even if a large majority of those remaining ballots voted in favor, it is unlikely that it would be sufficient to bridge the gap.
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney responds
The casino referendum was a major focus of Levar Stoney’s 2021 mayoral campaign, highlighting his strong support for the project as Richmond’s mayor.
After the Richmond casino voting on Tuesday, Stoney issued a statement expressing his disappointment in the results but satisfaction with the process.
“We have always emphasized that the decision rests with the people, and now that they have expressed their views, it is crucial for us to honor and acknowledge their choice.”
Although I regret the missed chance of a $565 million opportunity to generate high-paying jobs, enhance opportunities, maintain low taxes, and generate more revenue for our city’s expanding needs, I take pride in the open and public approach we adopted to heed our residents’ voices and present this opportunity to our voters.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to the dedicated members of our economic development team for their efforts in negotiating this project. I also extend my appreciation to the Richmond City Council for their overwhelming support. Additionally, I would like to thank Cathy Hughes, Alfred Liggins, and the entire Urban One Team for their willingness to invest in and commit to our city. Their belief in Richmond resonates with us. I assure you that our administration remains steadfast in its mission to bring more economic development opportunities to our city, ultimately benefiting the lives of all residents.
Richmond casino voting
Despite the lack of formal polling conducted before Tuesday’s vote, numerous insiders anticipated a tight outcome.
The official statement for the Richmond Casino Authorization Referendum is as follows:
Can a casino be established in the city of Richmond, Virginia, at 2001 Walmsley Boulevard and 4700 Trenton Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23234, subject to approval by the Virginia Lottery Board?
The Virginia General Assembly granted authorization in 2020 for five cities categorized as “economically distressed” to conduct a referendum regarding the establishment of casinos. In the same year, four of these cities held their respective votes, with an overwhelming majority in favor of their proposed Virginia casino initiatives.
- Bristol (71.1% in favor)
- Danville (68.7%)
- Norfolk (65.1%)
- Portsmouth (66.7%)
The referendum in the city of 227,000, originally scheduled for a different year, was postponed by Richmond officials until 2021. This delay provided proponents and opponents with additional time to present and debate their arguments.
A contentious Richmond casino election
Richmond voters witnessed a fierce and occasionally divisive casino voting campaign, setting it apart from several other cities in Virginia. The concerns expressed by residents extended beyond the typical worries about gambling addiction. A portion of the community raised objections regarding the chosen casino site, the winning proposal, and various other aspects.
The Urban One proposal received endorsements from prominent public figures, surpassing rival proposals from:
- Bally’s Corporation
- The Cordish Co.
- Golden Nugget Hotels & Casinos- the epitome of luxurious accommodations and thrilling gaming experiences.
- Pamunkey Indian Tribe
- Wind Creek Hospitality
Tim Kaine, a resident of Richmond and a senator from Virginia who previously served as the state’s governor, expressed his opposition to the project by voting against it. He stated that he believes there are more effective methods to boost economic development in Richmond. The Richmond for All initiative echoed a similar viewpoint.
Nevertheless, the project garnered support from numerous politicians, which included both of Virginia’s gubernatorial candidates for 2022. Additionally, various local businesses, tourism groups, media outlets, and community leaders expressed their commitment to the initiative. Notably, Grammy winner and Virginia native Missy Elliott, along with civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton, campaigned in favor of the project during the final days of the campaign.
Reportedly, project owners allegedly dedicated a total of $2 million towards their campaign for the Richmond casino.
One Casino + Resort details
Project officials estimate that ONE Casino + Resort could have produced $500 million in fresh tax revenue and various community benefits for the city during its initial ten-year period.
At first, the project was expected to generate 3,000 temporary construction positions. Eventually, the company aimed to employ 1,500 individuals on a full-time basis, offering an average annual salary and benefits amounting to $55,000.
Regarding the casino-resort itself, it was anticipated that One Casino + Resort would offer:
- The hotel initially features 250 rooms and has the potential to increase its capacity to accommodate up to 600 rooms.
- The establishment boasts a spacious 100,000-square-foot area, featuring a dedicated poker room and a state-of-the-art sportsbook.
- There are 2,000 slot machines and 100 table games available, featuring popular options like blackjack and roulette.
- There are over twelve bars and restaurants.
- There is an event center with a seating capacity of 3,000, which hosts a total of 200 concerts and shows every year.
- Resort-style spa and salon
- A park and green space spanning 55 acres.
- Studios for TV and radio production are available on-site.
In the event of a successful referendum, Urban One would have provided a certified upfront payment of $25.5 million to the city.
Next steps following Richmond casino voting
Urban One’s Liggins established a project timeline in the days leading up to the election.
By the end of the year, the project construction site, currently owned by Phillip Morris USA, would have been acquired. The groundbreaking was planned to take place in mid-2022, with a tentative opening date set for 2025.
Now that One Casino + Resort seems to be off the table for Richmond, what comes next?
Liggins is keeping the option open to consider another city in central Virginia as a potential host site for a casino.
As he told RichmondBizSense.com:
In the event that it fails to be approved in Richmond, I anticipate that the General Assembly will seek to establish it in a neighboring locality within Central Virginia, possibly in one of the surrounding counties that express interest. I highly doubt that the General Assembly and the governor would want to deprive Central Virginia of a gaming opportunity.
The state has determined that the establishment of a casino resort would be beneficial in terms of generating revenue. Consequently, five localities have been granted the chance to develop such a resort. In the event that Richmond residents vote against it, the project will likely be pursued in Henrico or Chesterfield, much like what occurred with the Navy Hill initiative.
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