In November, voters in Richmond, Virginia rejected the $565 million Richmond Grand Resort and Casino for the second time, with even more votes against the project than in the 2020 election. Once again, Petersburg officials see Richmond’s loss as a potential gain.
Recently, the Petersburg City Council unanimously approved a legislative agenda with a provision allowing the city to hold a referendum for the state’s fifth casino license by November 2025. Officials also asked lawmakers to allow a casino in a city with a population less than 200,000.
The proposal to legislators notes a casino would create 1,000 construction jobs and 1,800 permanent positions that would exceed the city’s current average household income of $44,000 annually.
In October 2022, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission found Petersburg could support a casino, on its own or in competition with a casino 25 miles away in Richmond. The commission estimated a proposed Petersburg casino could generate $204 million in net gaming revenue per year, with the city receiving 6 percent or $12.24 million.
Following the first rejection of a casino by Richmond voters, state Senator Joe Morrissey championed the issue in the General Assembly, using the state budget process to temporarily block Richmond’s second vote. Morrissey has since lost re-election to now-state Senator-elect Lashrecse Aird, who will continue the effort for a Petersburg casino.
Petersburg Mayor Sam Parham said council members met with Aird on November 21. Parham said Aird was “supportive of our legislative agenda as stated.”
