Petersburg Casino Plans On Life Support Following Virginia Committee Vote

The plans for the Petersburg casino have been abandoned, at least for the time being.

Earlier this month, HB 1373 narrowly passed in the Virginia State Capitol, but it was ultimately rejected by a 10-6 vote from Virginia’s Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.

The proposed bill, HB 1373, aimed to include Petersburg as one of the cities in Virginia eligible for establishing a casino. If passed, residents of Petersburg would have had the opportunity to vote in November on whether or not to approve the $1.4 billion Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia project. Additionally, the bill would have prevented a second vote on a casino in Richmond.

Del. Kim Taylor expressed deep concern over the recent setback experienced by the residents of Petersburg and the democratic process. In a statement, she emphasized that the people of Petersburg deserve a more favorable outcome. They should be empowered to shape the economic trajectory of their community autonomously, without being reliant on Richmond.

Why didn’t the Petersburg casino bill pass? One senator has an idea

Following the vote, Sen. Joe Morrissey expressed his dissatisfaction. In an interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch, he criticized the committee for prioritizing “parochial interests” over the well-being of Petersburg and its residents.

According to Morrissey, Senate president pro tempore Louise Lucas was responsible for the demise of the bill aimed at safeguarding the Rivers Casino in Portsmouth. He finds it perplexing as the vote appears illogical to him. Morrissey questions the need to be concerned about Petersburg, which is situated a considerable 85 miles away, when the Pamunkey Indian Tribe is constructing the HeadWaters Casino just across the Elizabeth River in Norfolk. It seems more reasonable to focus on the proximity of Norfolk and Portsmouth, which are merely six miles apart.

Morrissey accused Lucas of making deliberate efforts to impede progress, as stated in an interview with the Times-Dispatch.

He expressed his disappointment, stating that she prioritized the interests of wealthy, Caucasian casino developers over the well-being of African Americans. He criticized her actions, expressing his disapproval.

Despite this, Lucas expressed her desire for the committee to adopt a more systematic approach when considering casino requests. As a fervent supporter of Virginia’s legislation in 2020 that legalized casino gambling, she emphasized the importance of a measured and deliberate approach in this matter.

Richmond casino partners respond to HB 1373’s vote

Petersburg aimed to surpass Richmond in the hierarchy of casinos through HB 1373. While Richmond had previously obtained consent from voters to deliberate on a casino proposal, they rejected the project in November 2021.

Urban One and Churchill Downs Inc., the partners of the Richmond casino, expressed their surprise at the vote on HB 1373 in a shared statement.

The statement expresses gratitude for the General Assembly’s thoughtful and unbiased approach in examining and resolving this significant matter. It emphasizes that the focus has consistently been on determining the optimal course of action for the Commonwealth, a decision that has been unambiguous.

Petersburg casino could spell ‘major economic development boost’ for the area

It is widely known that money inevitably follows the emergence of casinos.

The casino gambling industry in Virginia has had an impressive beginning. The Bristol Casino – Future Home of Hard Rock and Rivers Casino Portsmouth have been successfully operating, leading to a record-breaking casino revenue for the state in January.

That month, the revenue amounted to $22.5 million. The Bristol location brought in $13.4 million in revenue, while the Portsmouth casino accumulated approximately $9 million during its limited operating period.

Zed Smith, Chief Operating Officer of Cordish, expressed his hope that the state’s elected leaders will thoroughly explore all possible options to aid in offering a significant economic development boost to Petersburg, while the General Assembly carries on with its deliberations.

What’s next for the Petersburg casino?

There may still be hope for a casino in Petersburg.

Although HB 1373 has failed to pass this month, there remains a possibility for hopes to be revived through an alternative approach.

Petersburg supporters are optimistic that House Appropriations Chairman Barry Knight will make adjustments to the language in Virginia’s upcoming state budget. These advocates are hopeful that the budget will not only revive the plans for Petersburg but also prevent a second vote on Richmond’s proposed casino.

Knight informed the Times-Dispatch that it is indeed a viable choice.

Knight’s addition in the 2024 Virginia budget had previously obstructed Richmond’s second vote in the past, indicating that language included in the budget has influenced casino plans before.

Knight states that despite the solidity of the plans, they are currently on hold. Casinos perceive a pending bill in Virginia that aims to lift the prohibition on electronic skill games as a potential threat to their business.

Both Petersburg and Richmond could support casinos

Both Petersburg and Richmond have been vying for a casino, and recent announcements from Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission suggest that both cities have the potential to accommodate one.

However, if two casinos were to serve the same region, developers at both sites would need to reduce their plans. Cordish, on the other hand, completely disregards this possibility.