A casino project in Richmond, Virginia has gained new momentum after the city reintroduced a proposal to build One Casino + Resort, according to a local Richmond news report.
The City Council recently introduced papers for the $562m casino resort project, which would feature a luxury hotel, 55 acres of green space and a live entertainment venue.
Partners Urban One and Churchill Downs Incorporated advertised the project nearly two years ago. However, city residents struck down the proposal for the casino resort by a narrow vote in November 2021.
Councilwoman Reva Trammell told 8News Richmond that she is optimistic about the project and said efforts to begin construction send a clear message. Trammell added that she believes the desire for the casino project did not influence the city’s decision to revisit construction.
She said, “It was a referendum. You always get another chance, but this time the message would be clearer.
“A lot people thought their tax dollars were going to pay for it. That’s not true.”
Virginia is currently home to two casinos, Rivers Casino Portsmouth and Bristol Casino – Future Home of Hard Rock. During the month of March, both casinos brought in a combined total of $37.4m in adjusted gaming revenue, according to figures posted by the Virginia Lottery.
As of 2020, casino referendums have passed in Portsmouth, Norfolk, Danville and Bristol. Richmond remains the only Virginia city to reject a casino referendum.
The OneCasino + Resort could bring with it up to 1.300 new jobs to the city of Richmond, according to the local report.
