Decision day for the future of Richmond casino
Today is election day in Virginia, and Richmond residents are being asked if they want to authorise One Casino and Resort.
US.- Today Richmond residents will have the final call on whether to give the go-ahead to One Casino in Richmond, Virginia. If the project is approved, Urban One will be able to construct its planned $565m casino.
According to Urban One, the property would create $500m in new tax revenues. Within its first 10 years of operations, it would generate $5.7bn, attracting almost four million tourists each year and generating new revenues for local shops and restaurants along with the casino and hotel.
If approved by the city’s voters, One Casino + Resort would feature a 90,000 square foot gaming floor with 2,000 slot machines, over 100 gaming tables, a competition poker room, and a sportsbook. In addition to gaming, the hotel is planned to offer 250 4-Star, AAA 4-Diamond luxury rooms, but has the capacity to expand to 600 rooms in the future.
Amenities would include more than a dozen restaurants and bars, a resort-style spa, and an event centre that could host up to 3,000 people. Plans call for more than 200 entertainment events per year at the centre hosted by Live Nation according to the Richmond Host Community Agreement, making the project a true destination casino resort.
Additionally, a 55-acre park would be located on the property with 20 acres of usable space and 35 acres of preserved wetlands as well as TV & Radio production studios with a 15,000 square feet soundstage.
The referendum on the ballot today asks residents of Richmond, to answer yes or no to the following: “Shall casino gaming be permitted at a casino gaming establishment in the city of Richmond, Virginia, at 2001 Walmsley Boulevard and 4700 Trenton Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23234 as may be approved by the Virginia Lottery Board?”
Virginia voters in four cities backed local ballot referendums during the 2020 general election that approved one casino resort for each locale. Many in Richmond hope the capital will now join Norfolk, Portsmouth, Danville, and Bristol.
See also: Virginia senator votes against One Casino, Richmond
