With the recent announcement that it secured land for a potential $700 million casino, the 380-member Pamunkey Tribe in Virginia sent shock waves through the state, where a lottery, charitable bingo, horseracing and off-track betting are permitted—but not casino gambling. However, Tribal Chief Robert Gray said, “We’re Pamunkey Indians. But we’re also Virginians. We’re working to do what will benefit both our tribe and the commonwealth as a whole. We want to cooperate with the state. As long as it’s done the right way, which we believe we can work with the state and the localities to do it the right way, it’s a win-win for everyone.”
The tribe of Pocahontas has purchased more than 600 acres in New Kent County with help from Tennessee billionaire Jon Yarbrough, who made his fortune in the tribal casino industry. But Gray said that location is just one option for the project, which would include a casino, 1,200-room hotel, spa, show venue and dining options, and create 4,000 full-time jobs and have an indirect economic impact of $1 billion per year.
Gray said he’s also considering a location in Richmond, which the Pamunkeys consider part of their homelands. “I don’t see why not. Given the population base, the intersection of Interstates 95 and 64, it’s a great nexus. What’s been happening over the last 10 years or so is exciting for Richmond. And if we can add to that and just continue to help Richmond grow, that would be a great opportunity,” Gray said.
Wherever the casino project ends up, the next step would be applying to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to take the land into trust on the tribe’s behalf. Also the tribe most likely would have to negotiate with the governor on a compact with the state to determine a revenue sharing arrangement.
Gray said he wants to move forward with the casino within five years. But former Pamunkey Chief Kevin Brown said that timeline may be overly optimistic, since obtaining federal land approvals can take decades. “It’s just a real long, drawn-out, agonizing process. And it takes millions of dollars worth of legal work before the tribe sees anything,” he said.
Brown also expressed caution regarding working with Yarbrough. “It’s an industry, and you have to know what you’re doing. And if you just turn it over to a white man and say, ‘Here, white man, run it for us and just give us money,’ I think that’s a recipe for disaster,” he stated.
Gray stated, “Starting out, sure, we understand we have to hire the experts. But then we can groom our own experts.” He noted federal regulations require periodic reviews of outside involvement in tribal casinos in order to make sure the non-native partner isn’t abusing tribal status. The regulations also allow individual tribe members to take a percentage of any gaming proceeds, but Gray said he wants to use the money “in a way that enhances our people,” not to create a “welfare state.”
