Virginian city voters to decide on casino legislation

The Danville City Council has supported a bill that would allow voters to decide whether they’d like to get casinos in three cities.

US.- Three Virginian cities may soon see their voters decide whether they want casinos legalised in each one of them after the Danville City Council unanimously voted to support a bill to allow it. Should legislation gets passed in the General Assembly, citizens in Bristol, Danville and Portsmouth will be able to decide themselves if the casino industry lands in the area or not.

During the council meeting, Mayor Alonzo Jones said that tax revenue from casinos could help cover the US$126 million needed for upgrades in the school districts. He also explained that – should a gaming venue get denied in Danville – such funds would have to come from higher taxes.

Mayor Jones further asked the city manager how much, if the city accepted what the school board has presented to the government, the tax base would be for the community. Danville City Manager Ken Larking answered that taxes would have to be raised and set above the average for cities in Virginia.

Should the proposed legislation get approved, Danville residents will get to vote in November if they want a casino or not.