The proposed second referendum on the issue of a casino launch in Richmond, Virginia will go ahead after a local court ruled that it was lawful.
It came after a legal challenge from a collective of charitable bingo halls named Good Lions, Inc., filed a legal challenge against the proposals for a second referendum, citing that their charitable operations would be damaged should the casino be approved.
The complaint noted that the income it currently receives will “either disappear entirely or be seriously undermined should the referendum move forward and be successful.”
Yet, the Richmond City Council, which overwhelmingly voted in favor of the second vote, disputed this claim, noting that Good Lions “lacks standing because it does not, and cannot, assert any claim or defense that is germane to this proceeding required” by any council rules.
Judge W. Reilly Marchant of the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond ultimately denied this appeal from the Good Lions group, and labeled it as “merely the last step in an administrative process for the placing of the referendum on the ballot”.
Judge Marchant further elaborated that “arguably, Good Lions’ alleged future loss of gaming revenue might be fairly traceable to the 2019 legislation of the Virginia General Assembly allowing casino gambling, but that government action is not what Good Lions seeks to challenge”.
This will come as good news for the casino project developers, RVA Entertainment Holdings, comprising Churchill Downs and Urban One, which is proposing a $500m development that it claims would contribute $30m in taxes per year and 1300 jobs.
Should the referendum go in its favor, the casino would feature a luxury hotel with live entertainment and conference venues, dining options, gaming facilities with slot games, table games, and a sportsbook, as well as green spaces.
Michael Kelly, spokesperson for the development, explained: “We’re glad this matter is now resolved. This resort and entertainment complex will be one of the largest private sector investments in the City of Richmond in decades, creating 1,300 good-paying jobs and $30m million in annual tax revenue to invest in a stronger city, all without a single penny of tax breaks, incentives, or public funds.
“We look forward to sharing our vision for the project and the many citywide benefits it will deliver for all Richmonders.”
As a result of the outcome, the referendum is set to take place on November 7, where the developers will be hoping for a more positive result than back in 2021.
Unlike the four other cities that were permitted to allow a referendum on a casino development under the law passed in 2019 – Norfolk, Portsmouth, Danville, and Bristol – voters in Richmond narrowly voted ‘no’ two years ago.
