Court Formally Approves Richmond Casino Vote For Election Day Ballot

The official date for the Richmond casino vote on the proposed One Casino + Resort has been confirmed to be on Election Day.

The casino referendum for the November vote has recently been approved by the Richmond Circuit Court.

Once the casino receives a majority vote in favor, Urban One and its partners, Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, will begin the $560 million project’s construction.

Does the Richmond casino vote look promising?

The Richmond casino vote’s awaited next triumph was the court’s endorsement.

Urban One’s proposal for One Casino + Resort officially began on May 20, after being approved by the Richmond Resort Casino Evaluation Panel. It emerged victorious among five other proposals, which included submissions from renowned gaming companies like Golden Nugget Hotels & Casinos, Bally’s Corp., and The Cordish Cos.

On June 14, the Richmond City Council made the decision to approve both the operator and site of the project. Following the court’s approval this week, the matter will now be presented on the Nov. 2 ballot.

What are the chances of Urban One clearing the final hurdle? Will the Richmond casino vote result in success?

During a 2020 vote, the casino referenda in four Virginia cities, namely Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth, received overwhelming support. By a margin of 2-1, voters in these cities expressed their agreement. As a result, the construction of casino-resorts is scheduled to commence in 2024 and 2024.

As Election Day draws near, it appears that Richmond is facing greater resistance towards the establishment of casinos compared to other cities in Virginia. Anticipate a heightened expression of opinions from both proponents and opponents of this matter.

City support for One Casino + Resort

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney is among the key officials who strongly support the Richmond casino project.

As per Stoney’s affirmation after receiving the circuit court’s approval:

We express gratitude to the court for its assessment and decision to include the One Resort & Casino project on the November ballot as a referendum. This project, aimed at economic development, will create 1,300 high-paying job opportunities and generate millions of dollars in essential revenue for our city. Furthermore, it will contribute to the ongoing revitalization of South Richmond. As we have consistently emphasized, the ultimate decision will rest with the people.

Urban One, a media conglomerate, possesses a strong gaming alliance with Peninsula Pacific Entertainment. Peninsula Pacific Entertainment is the proud owner of both the Colonial Downs racetrack in New Kent and various Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums across the commonwealth, making it an ideal partnership. Additionally, Urban One owns and operates 55 radio stations in Richmond and throughout the United States.

When it opens in late 2024, One Casino + Resort will become the sole Black-owned casino in the United States. The Richmond casino vote carries significant weight due to the potential it holds in terms of job creation (guaranteeing a minimum wage of $15 per hour), promoting diversity (ensuring 50% minority participation in employment), and generating an estimated economic impact of $5.7 billion over a span of 10 years.