The Virginia capital city of Richmond could potentially witness the formal approval of a $560 million casino in a mere two weeks, as per the voters’ decision.
The proposed One Casino + Resort will finally receive an answer on Election Day, November 2.
The successful bid for the Richmond casino project was jointly presented by Urban One and Peninsula Pacific Entertainment.
Before anything else, the voters in Richmond need to make a decision on whether they will grant permission for the construction of the facility. If a simple majority agrees, the project will be given the go-ahead, resulting in the United States’ sole existing casino owned by Black individuals.
What Richmond voters are voting on
In 2020, Senate Bill 36 was successfully passed by the Virginia Assembly and subsequently signed into law by Gov. Ralph Northam. This law granted authorization to five cities in Virginia, including Richmond, to conduct a referendum. The purpose of this referendum was to provide city residents with the opportunity to vote on the approval or rejection of a casino within their respective cities.
This is how the question is stated on the 2021 Richmond ballots regarding the One Casino + Resort on a proposed Southside location:
Is it permissible for casino gaming to take place at a casino gaming establishment located at 2001 Walmsley Boulevard and 4700 Trenton Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23234, subject to approval by the Virginia Lottery Board?
Officials report that many Richmond voters who are casting ballots via mail are forgetting to include a witness signature, as early voting runs through Oct. 30 and absentee ballots are being filed in. Additionally, Richmond voters can cast their ballots on Election Day.
The registration deadline for the current election cycle was October 12th. To verify your voter status, please visit the Virginia Department of Elections website.
Richmond voters not so bullish on casino?
What are the chances that Richmond voters will approve One Casino + Resort? What do the polls on the Richmond casino indicate?
To begin with, let’s reflect on the year 2020, during which four additional cities in Virginia voted decisively in support of casino projects.
Those cities included:
- The approval rating for Bristol’s Hard Rock Casino and Resort stands at 71.1%.
- A majority of 68.7% have given their approval to Danville’s Caesars Casino Resort.
- The approval rating for the Norfolk Pamunkey Casino Resort stands at 65.1%.
- The Rivers Portsmouth Casino Resort in Portsmouth has received a 66.7% approval rating.
Richmond officials made the decision to postpone their referendum until 2021, but the voting outcomes from other parts of the commonwealth in 2020 surely brought them relief.
On the other hand, the support for Richmond seems to lack broad consensus as there has been no official polling conducted. Nevertheless, there have been vocal objections expressed, including prominent figures voicing their opposition.
Who’s for and against Jonathan Young
Urban One officials from Silver Spring, Maryland have highlighted the typical advantages associated with casino projects. Specifically:
- Jobs
- Economic impact
- Community partnerships
If the casino referendum in Richmond is approved, the city will receive a $25.5 million upfront payment.
However, not all individuals are in favor of the project. There is opposition to the initiative from:
- Tim Kaine, a resident of Richmond, is a United States Senator.
- Kenya Gibson, Stephanie Rizzi, and Jonathan Young are all members of the Richmond School Board.
- Different grassroots and community organizations
On the other hand, supporters of One Casino + Resort consist of:
- Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney
- The Economic Development Department of the City of Richmond
- Terry McAuliffe, the former governor of Virginia and current candidate for governor
- Joseph Morrissey is a Virginia State Senator.
Urban One’s proposal emerged victorious among various contenders, including Bally’s Corporation and The Cordish Co. Notably, Urban One, a media conglomerate boasting several Richmond radio stations, partnered with Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, the parent company of Colonial Downs racetrack and Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums in Virginia. These local affiliations have played a significant role in garnering support for the project.
If Richmond voters no say, will another city say yes?
Is it possible that Richmond’s loss could be seen as a blessing for another city in Virginia?
In an effort to win over Richmond voters, Alfred C. Liggins III, the CEO of Urban One, has been highlighting the advantageous position of One Casino + Resort. Set to be situated on predominantly unutilized industrial grounds near Commerce Road, the proposed location offers promising prospects.
Urban One’s proposal clearly specifies that the city will not offer any form of financial assistance or tax relief, including abatements, exemptions, subsidies, incentives, rebates, financing, or waivers, for the casino project.
In addition, the project will include 250 hotel rooms, a gaming space spanning 100,000 square feet, an event center with a seating capacity of 3,000, a vast 55-acre park and green space, as well as on-site TV and radio production studios.
Richmond has a lot to take into account, but Liggins believes that if voters reject it, there will be someone else who will be willing to accept it. As he mentioned:
The General Assembly is determined to ensure that central Virginia has a casino, even if it means it will be established elsewhere if not permitted in this location.
In just a few weeks, we will receive the answer from Richmond voters, who have the initial opportunity to accept or decline.
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