The 2020 gaming bill in Virginia gave economically challenged localities the opportunity to inquire from their members if they support establishing a casino resort to boost the economy. Only Richmond voters refused the opportunity as compared to other communities in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Bristol, and Danville.
The No Vote
Five cities, including Richmond, were to hold a voter’s referendum to approve casino gaming. The other four cities went ahead and conducted their referendum while Richmond waited.
Officials from the city decided to wait until a casino plan was in the plan before residents could vote. Waiting wasn’t the wisest move as residents voted no once the referendum was conducted. This came after Urban One selection as the casino supplier.
After the no vote, officials decided to hold a second referendum. City leaders believe voters chose wrong as having a casino destination will revive Virginia’s economy. In the meantime, a plan to introduce a casino to Petersburg, a neighboring city of Richmond, is in the works.
Richmond city is legally allowed to hold a second referendum. But, the plans will be slowed owing to the possibility of having a casino in Petersburg.
The Hold Up on Licensing
The Senate Finance and Appropriations and House Appropriations agreed on a budget deal. Contents of the budget were partially released to the public. This deal includes sections that delay licensing of a Richmond casino even if voters approve it in the November 2022 referendum.
State Senator Joe Morrissey has been leading the charge to move Richmond’s unused Casino gaming license to Petersburg. He claims the second referendum in Richmond fails democracy. After a bill to classify Petersburg as a failed casino contender, Morrissey urged other legislators to add a provision in the budget that bars Richmond from conducting a second referendum up to 2023.
Politics may also be at play since relocating the license to Petersburg could aid Morrissey’s reelection bid next year. The Democrats have a two-seat lead against Republicans in the 40-seat chamber. Hence, the Democrats will work hard to keep Morrissey in Office.
A Richmond Circuit judge made a ruling in March that the city can hold a second referendum that overrides the proposed budget provision. The Senate had earlier added a provision that prevented a second referendum.
Negotiations were undertaken, and the referendum was allowed following the judgment. This prompted Morrissey to devise another tactic that resulted in the latest budget provision.
The provision prohibits the state from giving Richmond a gaming license. This is until the General Assembly’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) completes its Petersburg casino study.
If approved, a delay in licensing the Richmond plan puts Petersburg on schedule to get the license. It would also take over the license once voters vote no again in November. Some feel that racial factors are at play.
The Urban One project would bring a mainly black-owned casino to the city. In the first referendum, the white communities voted no, whereas the minority neighborhoods voted yes.
As days progress, it will be interesting to see who wins. Will Richmond have its casino gaming license, or will Petersburg get the license?
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