Nearly $3m spent backing casinos in Virginia

Watchdog says Bristol casino project was the most expensive per vote

Committees seeking voter approval of casino projects in four Virginia cities spent close to $2.8m during the recent election cycle, but the state’s campaign finance watchdog said one city’s bid was significantly more costly.

The cities of Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth each held local referendums during last month’s general election. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, these four cities, along with Richmond, were allowed to ask voters if they wished to approve the operation of one casino. All five cities are facing financial hardships, and the casinos were pitched as job providers.

Richmond is expected to hold its referendum in 2021. As reported by Gaming America, Richmond recently put out an online survey seeking feedback on a potential casino. 

The “Betting on Bristol” committee was tasked with winning voter approval of the Hard Rock Bristol Hotel and Casino, to be constructed at the site of a former shopping mall. The Virginia Public Access Project said this committee spent slightly more than $1m, which added up to $186 per vote.

The VPAP noted the Bristol bid had the biggest margin of the four cities that held referendums last month at 71%.

Betting on Bristol spent some $800,000 through Oct. 21, and then $216,000 from Oct. 22 through Nov. 26. Donors included Hard Rock Corp., $43,500, The United Co., $9,000, and Par Ventures, $3,900.

The committee said in disclosures it spent more than $450,000 for production and placement of television and radio sports. In addition, it hired a political consulting firm ($67,000), an opinion tracking firm ($28,000), and nearly $43,000 went to direct mail advertisements, the VPAP said.

Casinos in the four cities are expected to be ready to open in 2022, officials estimated.

Michael Bartlett

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