Operator News
US – Richmond City Council breathes new life into ONE Casino + Resort project with second referendum
By Phil - 13 June 2023
Having failed in a previous referendum in 2021, Richmond City Council is now giving the ONE Casino + Resort project another chance with another public vote in November.
Back in 2021, the $562.5m casino project narrowly failed with a vote of 51 per cent against but now councilors want a second coming for the project due to the economic opportunity it presents.
RVA Entertainment Holdings, a partnership between Urban One and Churchill Downs, has been named as the preferred casino operator.
City Councilor Mike Jones said: “I believe the citizens should have an opportunity to vote on this next time. You can’t compare the deal. There is no comparison to this deal. There just isn’t.”
Councillor Ann-Frances Lambert added: “Here in the city of Richmond, we are 90 per cent residential and 10 per cent commercial. At the end of the day, if we want to be so much like Henrico, we have to say yes to projects.”
The casino would boast 2,000 slots and 110 table games, including poker and a sports book, a 250-room hotel with the option of expanding to 600 rooms, 15 bars & restaurants, 3,000 capacity event center, 200 entertainment events annually and TV & Radio production studios.
The Virginia Lottery and Richmond Circuit Court will now have to approve the referendum.
