Has Richmond lost its sole opportunity for a VA casino vote after residents rejected efforts on the 2021 ballot?
The possibility of a casino vote on Tuesday night’s ballot in Richmond was thwarted, potentially due to the influence of state Sen. Joe Morrissey, a prominent Democrat.
Instead, he is attempting to pave the way for a vote in Petersburg by 2025. The distance between the two cities is approximately 25 miles.
In order to comprehend the political landscape of 2025, it is beneficial to have an understanding of the events that unfolded in 2021 and 2022.
2021: Voters reject a Richmond VA casino vote
Legislation was passed by the Virginia General Assembly in March 2019, establishing five host casino cities: Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Richmond.
In 2020, the Virginia gaming industry achieved a perfect score of 4 wins, yet Richmond had to wait a year before casting its vote on a casino.
The city collaborated with media conglomerate Urban One to establish a $565 million One Resort + Casino, which was proposed to be located in south Richmond, near the Philip Morris manufacturing center and I-95.
- Construction couldn’t commence since it required majority support, which unfortunately didn’t materialize as voters rejected the bid in 2021.
- Urban One and Richmond wasted no time in setting their sights on the 2022 General Election for a second attempt.
Senator Morrissey’s entrance marked a turning point as his policy efforts effectively thwarted a second casino vote in Richmond during the 2022 legislative session. This development laid the groundwork for an intense summer in the Commonwealth.
2022 timeline: Why a Richmond VA casino vote wasn’t on Tuesday’s ballot
In June 2022, due to Morrissey’s dealmaking, the city of Richmond and developers found themselves on the verge of a legal battle. Morrissey cleverly included Virginia budget amendment language that would allow for the possibility of a casino in Petersburg, effectively preventing any chance of a Richmond casino vote on the upcoming Tuesday’s ballot.
“At the time, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney expressed his disappointment regarding the Virginia General Assembly’s decision to amend the state budget in a manner that intentionally undermines economic prospects for the City of Richmond, thereby affecting its residents adversely.”
The City Council has voted 8-1, and the Circuit Court has issued an order, stating that the residents of Richmond should be given the chance to express their opinions on this matter in November. We are currently evaluating the legal alternatives available to us. Nevertheless, we steadfastly believe that the people of Richmond should not be deprived of their right to vote, especially when they were so close to having that opportunity in a few months.
Developers of One Resort + Casino have requested the city of Richmond to postpone the next casino vote for a year, as of August 4, 2022.
Following a two-month review, project supporters determined that they would be unable to secure a favorable outcome in a lawsuit before the scheduled fall vote. The statement from the company read:
Although there are compelling legal arguments to proceed with the plans in 2022, we have requested the City of Richmond, our partner, to retract their petition for a November 2022 ballot referendum. We believe that engaging in a lengthy legal dispute at this moment would not be in the best interest of the residents of Richmond or the state of Virginia. Our current priority is to secure victory in the Richmond casino referendum slated for 2025.
What’s ahead in 2025
In addition to the existing information, the recent 77-page report presented to Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission introduces a new aspect by considering the potential inclusion of casinos in both Richmond and Petersburg.
Following the release of the report, the Petersburg City Council members gave their approval for a collaboration with Cordish Cos. to construct a Live! Casino in Petersburg.
The proposed Live! project entails the development of a casino resort located on the southern part of the city.
Morrissey implies that if Urban One and Richmond acquire a casino, Cordish’s interest will diminish.
Morrissey informed the Petersburg City Council during their Oct. 25 meeting that he had already introduced legislation to prioritize the city’s needs ahead of others.
Senate Bill 780 aims to include Petersburg as the fifth and last eligible host city.
The legislation mandates a casino vote in Petersburg, VA. Additionally, before granting Richmond another opportunity, the state requires the voters in the emerging city to approve of a casino.
In the event that Petersburg succeeds in the referendum, Richmond will no longer be considered as a potential host city. Furthermore, it firmly establishes that the referendum for Petersburg will take place in November 2025.
Beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 11, the Virginia General Assembly will commence its planned 30-day session.
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