The Richmond City Council voted 8-1 to hold a second referendum on RVA Entertainment Holdings’ proposed $562 million casino resort. RVA is the name of the partnership between Urban One and Colonial Downs, which will own the facility.
In 2021, Richmond voters narrowly rejected the same project, which would be built on the city’s south side. But following the vote, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney told NBC12, “I feel really good. I feel really optimistic about what November may hold.”
Eighth District Councilwoman Reva Trammell, whose district includes the casino location, emphasized the jobs the project would create. She noted a study commissioned by the city indicated it would generate $29.7 million in annual revenue for the city and create 1,300 jobs. Additionally, the city would receive a one-time, upfront payment of $25 million from RVA if the casino receives final approval plus $1 million upon closing of the casino’s financing.
Before the vote, Richmond residents expressed concern that gambling preys on the most economically vulnerable people, and that voters already rejected the plan.
Richmond Economic Development Director Leonard Sledge told the Richmond Times-Dispatch, “The project creates a significant number of good-paying jobs with benefits for Richmond citizens that creates significant new general fund revenue, in a manner that doesn’t cost the city.”
Churchill Downs Senior Vice President told council members that the company, which operates facilities in 14 states, already has a team in place in Richmond. “We look forward to a long partnership together,” he told council members.
As he did after voters previously rejected the Richmond casino, state Senator Joe Morrissey said, “I will do what I can to make sure there’s budget language that prohibits Richmond from getting a casino.” Morrissey, who supports a casino in Petersburg, about 25 miles away, blocked a do-over for Richmond in 2022 through a state budget amendment. Per NBC12, he stated, “I’m disappointed that Richmond keeps going back, trying to get a referendum. It reminds me of the movie ‘Groundhog Day.’ We hear it over and over again.”
Baltimore-based Cordish Companies, which has partnered with Petersburg, stated it will not move forward on those plans if Richmond is allowed another casino vote.
The General Assembly has not yet agreed on a revised state budget, or decided whether to include language to allow Petersburg to vote on a casino or prevent Richmond from holding a second vote.
The Virginia Lottery and Richmond Circuit Court also must approve the referendum before it appears on the November ballot.
In 2020, the Virginia legislature approved casino gaming in five cities: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Bristol, Danville and Richmond. Today casinos are operating in Bristol, Danville and Portsmouth, and another is being built in Norfolk.
