The message from voters on Election Day was crystal clear: There is overwhelming support for casino projects in Virginia.
The casino referendums in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth were all approved by voters on Tuesday.
According to the most recent unofficial vote counts, all of the measures were approved by voters with a margin of approximately 2 to 1.
Today, the Virginia Lottery board convened for their routine meeting where officials discussed their anticipation for the certified results of the casino referendums, expected to be received within the next 30 days.
Following this, they have intentions to assess and make decisions on emergency casino gaming regulations in February. Subsequently, the executive branch will carefully review these regulations and commence the process of formulating permanent ones.
Officials anticipate that casino operators will commence submitting license applications in late spring or early summer. Nevertheless, they caution that the application procedure, along with the subsequent financial and criminal background checks, may require up to 12 months to finalize.
In any case, it is expected that the initial casinos will be able to commence operations starting in 2022, and it is highly probable that the majority of them will be up and running by 2025.
Here are some of the reactions following a significant advancement in the Virginia casino industry on Tuesday.
Bristol casino
In Bristol, all five precincts have reported their results, with residents strongly supporting the $400 million Hard Rock Casino and Resort Bristol project. The initiative garnered 5,463 affirmative votes (71.1%) and 2,222 negative votes (28.9%).
After years of advocating for it, Jim McGlothlin, a prominent supporter of the local casino and also the chairman and CEO of United Co., is prepared to fulfill his vision. He believes that this endeavor will be a game-changer for Bristol, describing it as a remarkable opportunity.
“Tonight, the voters have expressed their strong desire for a Hard Rock casino in Bristol, Virginia. We sincerely appreciate the overwhelming support and the encouragement provided. I am filled with excitement to commence this project. Today marks a new beginning for Bristol and its residents. With Hard Rock as our trusted partner, we are committed to achieving great things together, I assure you.”
The statement from the Vote Yes for Bristol campaign was clearly filled with joy and celebration.
We express deep gratitude for the overwhelming support bestowed upon us by the voters of Bristol, VA. The recent referendum vote endorsing the establishment of a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Bristol signifies the community’s endorsement of increased employment opportunities and enhanced economic prosperity for our local residents. Undoubtedly, this victory is not only a triumph for Bristol but also for the entire region.
“We are fully aware that this project holds the potential to revolutionize the economy of this region and elevate its livability. With great enthusiasm, we are now set to embark on the subsequent stages to actualize this transformation. Our team eagerly anticipates collaborating with the VA Lottery throughout the upcoming months of licensing and permitting procedures.”
The impact of the casino on the state of Tennessee was discussed in a newspaper, along with its consequences on a North Carolina casino that has traditionally been the preferred choice for casino enthusiasts in the area.
Be cautious, Cherokee, North Carolina. There is a new casino venture coming soon to the Twin City of Bristol, near the Virginia-Tennessee border. With a significant majority, voters on the Virginia side of Bristol have chosen to embrace the possibility of gambling as a means to revitalize the community, revive the closed mall, and potentially benefit the entire region.
According to Bristol Vice Mayor Anthony Farnum, the temporary Hard Rock casino located at Bristol Mall has the potential to open within a six to nine-month timeframe. Furthermore, Farnum stated that the permanent casino could potentially open within 18 months.
Other reactions:
Danville casino
The $400 million Caesars Casino Resort Danville also received overwhelming support from Danville voters. In fact, the level of support was immense, with 13,022 votes (68.7%) in favor and only 5,951 votes (31.3%) against.
Despite being one of the project’s strongest supporters, Mayor Alonzo Jones of Danville is content with the voters’ final decision.
“We, as the City Council, have made the decision to entrust our citizens with this matter. Following an extensive period of deliberation, the citizens have expressed their desire for a casino in the city of Danville during tonight’s session.”
Tom Reeg, the CEO of Caesars Entertainment, gave special recognition to the Danville businesses that expressed their commitment and support.
Caesars Entertainment expresses gratitude to the voters of Danville for their valuable support in the referendum that paves the way for Caesars Virginia to establish itself in the city. We eagerly anticipate honoring the trust bestowed upon us by the voters, as we commit to generating 1,300 well-paying job opportunities, boosting tourism revenue, and fostering economic growth within the City. Furthermore, we are thrilled to embark on the construction phase of this exciting endeavor.
We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has supported us, particularly the City of Danville team, our campaign steering committee, campaign committee co-chairs Delegate Danny Marshall, Mayor Alonzo Jones, Dr. Tiffany Franks, and Tammy Wright-Warren, Campaign Director Steven Gould, Josh Norris, and the entire campaign staff. Additionally, we want to extend our sincere thanks to the many esteemed business owners and citizens who have shared the positive impact that this resort will have on the community with their customers, friends, and neighbors. We are delighted to be embraced by the Danville community and eagerly anticipate a prosperous and enduring future.
Although the vote totals were convincing, not all responses to the Danville casino were positive. Virginia Business interviewed a problem gambling expert to understand the potential consequences of the Danville casino and other resorts in the commonwealth.
In a statement, Carolyn Hawley, the president of the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling, expressed that the approval of the referendums will necessitate an escalation in efforts to provide support for problem gambling in the state. Hawley emphasized that while gambling can be enjoyable, it can also have detrimental effects on certain individuals. The council aims to proactively prevent any harm from arising and extend assistance to those who may encounter difficulties.
Lanie Davis, a journalist from the local area, is urging residents of Danville to participate in a survey regarding the project.
Other reactions:
Norfolk casino
By Wednesday afternoon, 46 out of 49 precincts in Norfolk had submitted their reports. This has brought positive news for supporters of the Pamunkey Casino Resort Norfolk, which is valued at $500 million.
It is highly likely that the referendum will pass, as 65% of the voters are in favor of the casino, while only 35% are against it.
Jay Smith, the representative of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, is aware that the outcome of the final vote seems inevitable, as his tribe is the favored casino partner for the project. This preference is further backed by the support of Tennessee billionaire and experienced figure in the gaming industry, John Yarbrough.
Although it is important to count every vote, the people of Norfolk have expressed their enthusiasm for the arrival of a resort and casino in the Mermaid City.
Chief Robert Gray of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe expressed his gratitude towards those who have shown their support.
The overwhelming support we’ve received from the Norfolk community has left us speechless. We are incredibly grateful to all those who stood up for us, spread our message, proudly displayed yard signs, wore stickers, or simply voted YES. Words cannot express how thankful we are. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with you to further enhance Norfolk’s strength for many years to come.
Despite the well-coordinated efforts of Informed Norfolk, a local citizens group, to oppose the Virginia casino, they were unable to convince Norfolk voters. The group raised concerns about the Pamunkey tribe’s inexperience in similar ventures and the lack of transparency surrounding the deal.
Other reactions:
Portsmouth casino
The $300 million Rivers Portsmouth Casino Resort was also readily approved by voters.
The Portsmouth casino referendum received a total of 28,723 (66.7%) yes votes and 14,344 (33.3%) no votes, with all 32 precincts reporting.
Portsmouth Mayor John Rowe unreservedly expressed his support for the casino as the Election Day approached. He praised the outcome of the voting results.
Portsmouth is celebrating a remarkable day as the voters have given their approval to a promising economic prospect. This opportunity not only promises the creation of numerous high-quality jobs but also guarantees an additional $16 million in annual tax revenues for our community. By partnering with Rush Street Gaming, Portsmouth has successfully secured an outstanding developer and operator of top-tier destination casinos. With their proven track record of fulfilling commitments, fostering community support, and promoting job growth, we have undoubtedly made an excellent choice in selecting our partner.
Neil Bluhm, Chairman of Rush Street Gaming, expressed his evident delight in expanding his company’s gaming presence. Additionally, he expressed his eagerness to make a positive impact on the economy of Portsmouth in a statement.
We express our gratitude to the residents of Portsmouth, the City of Portsmouth, and the Portsmouth Economic Development team for their valuable support. Our enthusiasm to commence construction is fueled by the desire to activate this powerful economic engine, which will generate numerous advantages for both the Commonwealth and the local community.
In a press release, the Portsmouth Economic Development agency referred to the casino as a prospective cornerstone of Portsmouth’s emerging Entertainment District.
Furthermore, in the latest updates on the Portsmouth election, Shannon Glover emerged victorious amidst a competitive six-way race for the esteemed position of city mayor. Remarkably, Glover stood alone as the sole candidate who wholeheartedly advocated for the establishment of the Portsmouth casino.
Other reactions:
Related Articles
