Petersburg Casino Bill Returns to Virginia General Assembly on Governor’s Action

St. Petersburg casino bill returns to Virginia House seeking governor's action

A St. Petersburg casino bill passed by Virginia's General Assembly returns to the Legislature after Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin (R-Va.) amended a charter intended to make the city eligible for a casino license.

Youngkin chose to amend Senate Bill 628 rather than veto it.The Governor opposes this legislation, including its re-enactment provisions.

The provision would require the House and Senate to vote again on whether Petersburg can obtain a gambling license from the Virginia Lottery Commission.

The purpose of the escape clause was to confirm that the Legislature did intend to allow the Richmond casino franchise (which city voters twice voted against) to move to Petersburg, about 25 miles south. Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D-Petersburg) attached a reenactment provision to the legislation when the House considered it.

It is believed a new vote on the matter will allow state lawmakers to more fully consider the potential impact of allowing a casino to open in Petersburg. During the 2024 legislative session, which ended on March 9, lawmakers passed more than 1,000 bills.

Accept changes

Elder and other state senators who supported SB628 want Youngkin to adopt the measure under Petersburg casino regulations. Their colleagues in the upper chamber approved the terms of the House's reenactment, confident the governor would take the action he did.

With the removal of the reenactment provision, this legislation moves closer to final approval, allowing Petersburg to obtain its fifth and final license," Aird said in a statement.

Since Youngkin amended the casino bill and did not veto it, only a simple majority in the House and Senate would be needed to approve the governor's changes. If Youngkin vetoes the bill, a two-thirds majority would be needed to override the veto.

The Virginia General Assembly returns to the capital, Richmond, on April 17 to consider the governor's legislative action. If SB628 receives the simple majority needed to approve the gubernatorial change, the bill will pass and the St. Petersburg City Council can move forward with its search for its preferred casino developer.

Referendum Process

There's a good chance St. Petersburg will consider a casino resort project. City Council proactively started the process in February, opening a bid period for interested developers.

City officials are looking for a site that would include a casino, at least 500 four- or five-star hotel rooms, multiple restaurants and bars, retail and entertainment venues.

City leaders said only well-known casino brands need to apply for government approval. Interested developers should be prepared to pay the city a one-time entry fee of at least $60 million immediately upon receiving a gaming license from the state.

Bidders would also be wise to commit to city officials that minority- and women-owned businesses will be prioritized in the selection of vendors and suppliers.

Once the casino resort plan is selected, the casino bill will be presented to St. Petersburg voters in November. If a simple majority votes in favor of the development, the project would be allowed to proceed and the Virginia Lottery Commission could grant the development a gaming license.