Residents will return to the polls this November to determine the fate of the casino project
Voters in Richmond, Virginia, will decide whether a new casino and entertainment venue and its tax revenue and employment opportunities overshadow concerns over transparency, the risks of expanded gambling and policymakers’ consideration for the 2021 defeat of a similar referendum.
Urban One and Churchill Downs are developing the Richmond Grand Resort & Casino, which will begin construction by May 2026 in the Southside industrial area. The facility will include restaurants, a 55-acre public park, a concert venue and a media production facility, and is scheduled for completion in May 2029. The companies have pledged to hire at least 1,300 people for the project.
Richmond voters rejected a similar proposal by a narrow margin in 2021, with voters splitting 51% to 49% against a casino, a difference of under 1,500 votes. Three months later, the City Council began the legal process to get the project on the ballot again. Budget language prevented the bill from coming to a vote in 2022, so the city pushed ahead to 2023.
If voters say yes on November 7, construction should start within 12 months and be completed within 30 months. The city will receive an upfront payment of $25.5 million and another $1 million after financing closes.
However, if the referendum is rejected again, it’s unclear whether it would be brought up for a third time. When asked if Mayor Lamar Stoney would pursue it again if it fails to pass, spokesperson Gianni Snidle wrote the following statement:
"Right now, Mayor Stoney is focused on informing Richmonders about how the Richmond Grand will fund the Child Care and Education Trust Fund, provide 1,300 good paying union jobs, and create a new world-class entertainment venue with green space, new restaurants and bars — a game changer for Southside and Richmond as a whole."
Emma Rodriguez is the Proofreader at the Big Blind, with seven years of experience and five years in online gambling. She plays a crucial role in maintaining content quality by ensuring error-free, reader-friendly information about the gambling industry.
