Following two unsuccessful referendums, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signs measures eliminating Richmond's eligibility for casinos. A separate bill that is awaiting reapproval seeks to include Petersburg on the list in the interim. There is discussion about potential changes and the direction that the state's casino laws may go in the future.
Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the Richmond Riddance Act, a modern piece of legislation that removes Richmond from Virginia localities that are permitted to have gaming casinos.
The legislation are being proposed by Democratic senators Betsy Carr of Delaware and state senator Lamont Bagby of Virginia, both of whose districts encompass Richmond. The proposals were unanimously supported by the Virginia General Assembly in both chambers.
It has been around fifty months since the public rejected the plan to build a casino on the southern portion of the city for the second time in November. The governor started to take the required steps at this point. Voters disapproved of the ballot referendum even on its second attempt, rejecting it with 62% of them voting against it in spite of the first time's tight vote (51% to 49% in 2021).
The Virginia State Code provides the requirements for a list of cities that meet the requirements to be considered for a casino, but it does not include a list of specific cities. It was formerly required by the governor-signed legislation that the city of Richmond not be eligible for this. According to the state code, potential host cities must be allowed to bid to host the event. According to the 2018 projections from the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, the city must have a population of at least 200,000. Additionally, the Virginia Department states that the city should be free from local property taxes on at least its assessed real estate value.
Richmond satisfies all requirements, and as of 2018, its population surpassed 230,000. The year that makes it clear that it is ineligible has passed.
Reintroducing wording to restore Richmond's eligibility through a different measure is a possibility. State Senator Bagby, as reported by 8 News, has expressed doubts about the possibility of such a turnaround, calling the odds "slim to none."
Virginia's Casino Expansion: Petersburg's Qualification and Reaction from the Lawmakers
Recent legislative events include the successful passage of SB 6284, a new casino bill in Virginia that may make Petersburg one of the locations allowed to host a casino in the state. Governor Youngkin must still make provisions for this legislation, though.
A bill that would add Petersburg to the list of Virginia localities qualified for casino development was approved by the General Assembly earlier in March. In addition to this choice, five candidates have surfaced as Petersburg's possible partners in leading a casino project.
A reenactment clause in the authorized version of the bill states that it can only be implemented if it is approved by the legislature again in a regular or special session.
Giants in the business like Bally's, Cordish Companies, Rivers Casino/Rush Street Gaming, Warrenton Group, and Penn Entertainment are submitting plans to Petersburg for consideration.
Co-sponsoring the bill with Senator Louise Lucas, Senator Lashrecse Aird stressed the ongoing discussion about the reenactment clause's inclusion. She emphasized how bills are always evolving as a result of the dynamic character of legislative procedures, which include many policy viewpoints at each stage.
It is anticipated that Governor Youngkin would propose an amendment to strike the bill's reenactment clause. If that happens, legislators will meet again for more discussion when they return to Richmond in two weeks.
