Due to the potential establishment of a new casino in Richmond, renowned restaurateur Chris Tsui has stepped down from his position as a member of the Virginia Lottery Board.
During a recent Virginia Lottery Board meeting, Kevin Hall, the Executive Director of the VA Lotto, confirmed that Tsui had stepped down from his position in February.
After a Feb. 3 meeting to establish emergency regulations for the upcoming Virginia casinos, Tsui announced his resignation 16 days later. During the meeting, Tsui stated that he was unable to participate in the voting process, resulting in his abstention.
Tsui was approached by the chosen casino operator for Richmond, Urban One in collaboration with Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, who explained their interest in involving him in the project.
The situation resulted in a possible conflict of interest, leading to the subsequent resignation.
During the most recent meeting, Hall expressed that he fully supported his decision to inform us and then willingly step aside.
Chris Tsui is in demand
Once the project receives formal approval from voters in November, the One Casino + Resort, with a budget of $560 million, will offer a wide range of attractions. Apart from its casino gaming and sportsbook offerings, the establishment is anticipated to house 15 bars and restaurants upon its scheduled opening in 2025.
Chris Tsui was contacted by project representatives as a result.
It is easy to comprehend the reasoning behind it. Tsui, a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, holds the presidency of EAT Restaurant Partners, a company that manages 13 restaurants in the Richmond region. Additionally, he is widely recognized for his contributions to the dining and hospitality industry in the Richmond area.
However, one must question the appropriateness of the contact. Tsui, being a member of the Virginia Lottery Board, holds a crucial position in the formation of the Virginia casino industry. This role involves the responsibility of licensing and regulating casinos, including those that have already been approved in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth.
According to Mark Hubbard, a spokesperson for McGuireWoods Consulting, their intentions with Tsui were clear and direct, as stated to Michael Martz of Richmond.com.
We initially reached out to him primarily because of his reputation as a prominent restaurateur in the city. However, during our discussions, he openly disclosed his involvement with the lottery and expressed his commitment to handle it responsibly, which he has successfully done.
In the recent meeting, Amy Dilworth, General Counsel of the Virginia Lottery, took the opportunity to advise and warn fellow board members.
The main lesson to remember is to avoid situations that could be perceived as a conflict or give the impression of a conflict of interest.
The existing members of the Virginia Lottery Board consist of
- Ferhan Hamid (chairman)
- Cynthia Lawrence (vice-chairman)
- Vonda Collins, Orrin Gallop
- Kimberly Martin
- Scott Price.
Tsui undecided on One Casino + Resort involvement
In 2018, Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia selected Chris Tsui to serve on the Virginia Lottery Board. Tsui’s tenure, following Frederick Helm’s, was slated to conclude in January 2025 after a five-year term.
Members of the VA Lottery Board are prohibited by the commonwealth from making any investment in a casino gaming operation.
Even though Tsui has resigned, he remains uncertain about whether he will be involved with One Casino + Resort. This project, which was chosen over five other proposals, has several investors listed on its website, including Tsui.
Despite this, Tsui informed Richmond.com that he has not made any financial investments or made a firm commitment to opening a restaurant in the casino-resort. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that he could not continue serving on the Virginia Lottery Board while he deliberates on this matter.
He explained, “My reason for stepping down is because I don’t want to entertain it.”
Currently, EAT Restaurant Partners is expected to provide him with a significant workload. The group possesses an array of dining establishments such as Osaka Sushi & Steak, Fat Dragon, The Blue Goat, Wild Ginger, Pizza & Beer of Richmond, and various others.
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