Petersburg’s Casino Referendum Gains Momentum in Virginia Legislature

Petersburg, Virginia, is once again in the spotlight as it seeks to secure its place as a potential casino host city in the state. The 2024 Virginia General Assembly has become the battleground for this renewed effort, with a revamped Senate Bill 628 at the forefront of the discussion. While the bill does not explicitly designate Petersburg as the fifth casino host city, it introduces noteworthy changes to the requirements for any city aspiring to host a casino.

Sen. Lashrecse Aird, representing Petersburg, and Sen. Louise Lucas, chair of the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee, are the driving forces behind the proposed changes in the casino bill. The bill aims to discard the population threshold requirement, propose adjustments to tax-exempted real estate and poverty rate criteria, and add a new stipulation: the host city must have experienced an unemployment rate of at least 13% in 2020.

Petersburg's unemployment rate in 2020, a staggering 21.1%, aligns perfectly with the new unemployment rate criterion. These adjustments are intended to tailor the bill to Petersburg's specific economic circumstances and needs. It's a significant development for a city that has faced hurdles in its casino bid in recent years.

Notably, Sen. Louise Lucas, who previously opposed Petersburg's casino ambitions, has now thrown her support behind the latest effort. This unexpected turn of events is seen as a boost to the casino's chances, given her influential position as chair of the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee and her district's association with Rivers Casino in Portsmouth.

Petersburg's push for a casino has been a recurring theme in recent years, with consecutive setbacks in the 2022 and 2023 legislative sessions. This year, Del. Kim Taylor, who had previously championed the cause, has decided to support Senate Bill 628 instead of introducing a separate House companion. The legislative journey for the bill mirrors past sessions, with hearings scheduled in the Senate General Laws & Technology Committee and subsequently in Senate Finance & Appropriations. Notably, the new bill omits language favoring Native American tribes, impacting Norfolk's proposed HeadWaters Casino.

Petersburg's casino referendum has gained momentum, and the outcome in the 2024 Virginia General Assembly will determine whether the city can finally secure its spot in Virginia's growing casino industry.