Urban One and Churchill Downs Inc. have spent more than $10 million on a campaign to urge voters in Richmond, Virginia to support the proposed $563 million Richmond Grand Resort and Casino.
It’s the second referendum on the casino, which voters narrowly rejected in 2021. Since then, Churchill Downs joined media conglomerate Urban One as a 50 percent partner and the project was rebranded.
The developers also held a block party featuring the Isley Brothers, selling out 6,000 tickets. And canvassers for the casino are offering voters free Uber rides to the polls and meal vouchers. Early voting began September 22. In comparison, the previous pro-casino group, Vote Yes, Richmond Wins, spent $2.6 million on the 2021 campaign.
Still, despite the multimillion-dollar campaign to win over voters, the outcome remains uncertain. A recent survey of 914 likely Richmond voters, conducted October 23 through October 25 by the national polling firm co/efficient, found 49 percent leaning toward supporting the casino and 52 percent leaning against it.
The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.23 percentage points. These results are similar to a Founders Insight poll conducted in September which indicated voters were evenly divided at 44 percent to 44 percent, with 12 percent undecided.
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has proposed directing half of the tax revenue from the project toward preschools and early childhood education initiatives.
He said, “I’m hoping that people who want the city to be a city that supports children come out and vote yes.” Labor unions and the Richmond city council have expressed their support. Also, in a letter to Richmonders, 13 local pastors wrote, “We believe the proposed Richmond Grand will give more Richmonders an opportunity for a great job, deliver real investment in communities that are too often forgotten and help create a stronger, safer city.”
Government analysts have indicated the casino would create 1,300 jobs paying $55,000 a year, and generate nearly $30 million in annual tax revenue for the city.
