Virginia State Senator Lashrecse Aird’s SB 628 was passed in the House and the Senate before Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the bill which replaced Richmond for Petersburg as a possible fifth commercial casino site in Virginia and will allow a referendum for the residents to decide its fate in November.
Petersburg Residents Will Decide
There was no major political opposition to shifting gears from Richmond to Petersburg as the possible site of the state’s fifth casino destination. Voters in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth have already approved casinos in those jurisdictions but Richmond voters had two opportunities to welcome a casino to their city but rejected it both times.
Thus, a fifth destination was required and Senator Lashrecse Aird was more than willing to bring the possibility of economic prosperity to her constituents which is why she sponsored SB 628. Ultimately, the Senate passed her bill, 32-8, followed by an overwhelming 80-19 margin in the House.
No Need for a Third Chance
“After two previous failed attempts, in my first Senate session, the General Assembly has officially given its support to allow the citizens of Petersburg to have a referendum vote on a casino,” Aird said in a prepared statement.
“I made a promise to give my community this opportunity, and today I delivered on that promise. While voters will have the final say on whether a casino becomes a reality, this legislation has the potential for multimillion-dollar economic investment to be made in a community that both needs and truly deserves it,” she added.
Still ahead are a few procedural and administrative steps that must be taken as the Petersburg city council, the Virginia Lottery Board and the Petersburg Circuit Court must give their respective stamps of approval before the referendum is added to the local ballot in November.
NFL Hall of Famer All-In
If Petersburg voters approve a casino in their community there will be several developers and casino operators vying for the right to put the project together. Bally’s, Penn Entertainment, Rush Street Gaming and The Warrenton Group have all expressed interest in the Petersburg project.
However, there is a fifth option comprised of a high-profile athlete and a well-established real estate/gaming company that will be competing for the opportunity to build and run the property. Virginia Beach developer and NFL Hall of Famer, Bruce Smith, and the Cordish Companies are that group and Smith has been vocal in his support of the project and the economic impact it will have on the Petersburg community.
Opportunities
“I have spent significant time in Petersburg talking with students and the community at large. I’ve had the opportunity to hear first-hand their stories of hardship, and I understand the struggle and the enormous challenges they face. Working as a developer in the state for over 20 years, I’m confident that Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies are the right partners for this undertaking,” Bruce Smith said.
“Together we can do remarkable work in Petersburg that will transform lives, restore hope, and ultimately imbue a new energy of revitalization that will be felt for generations. Our proposal represents a historic opportunity to prioritize the Petersburg community and put Virginians first,” Smith added.
The state of Virginia has been very open to betting during the past few months. Most recently, Senator Schuyler Van Valkenburg introduced VA SB124, which aims to eliminate the prohibition on wagering on in-state college athletic teams.
