Richmond Declines a Casino Once More, With a Broader Difference than Previously
Residents in Richmond, VA voted down a casino proposal on Tuesday night, with a larger percentage voting against the idea compared to two years ago. Despite a pricey campaign by casino developers and backing from city leaders, the referendum failed.
Preliminary results showed that 58% of Richmond voters opposed the casino project, while only 42% supported it.
This outcome comes after a fierce battle for the opposing side led by local activist Paul Goldman, who fought against the casino campaign while being significantly outspent by the casino developers.
Goldman, a member of the anti-casino movement, shared his feelings in a phone conversation, "This is a win for the people of Richmond. It's not my win. It's a win for the people." He further added, "You can't build a new city on the old politics of resentment."
Conceding Casino Developers
The state Board of Elections has not yet released the votes from the 18,000 early ballots. However, the current margin was substantial enough for casino supporters to accept the loss.
The pro-casino group, "Richmond Wins Vote Yes," stated in a written message, "We are proud to have run a community-focused campaign to create more opportunities for Richmond residents to climb the ladder to the middle class. We are grateful to the thousands of Richmonders who voted for good jobs and a stronger city, particularly in the Southside area where residents have played a key role in this project."
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney lamented the loss of the $562-million project he and other supporters believed would stimulate economic growth in the city's south side. Stoney said in a public statement, "I will continue to be a voice for communities that have been overlooked and underserved. I will work for more affordable and accessible childcare, for good-paying jobs, and for ample opportunities for all Richmonders, regardless of their zip code or socioeconomic status."
Second Strike, Worse Outcome
This lopsided defeat is the second time Richmond residents have voted down plans for a casino in their city. In 2021, the first referendum was rejected on a tighter margin, 51%-49%. The second attempt at securing voter approval was launched after the initial failure.
The proposed casino was a partnership between Maryland-based entertainment company Urban One and Churchill Downs, the racing and gaming firm famously known for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby.
Similar to the previous moment, the support for the project seemed divided along racial and geographic lines. The heavily Black community in the city's Southside areas, where the casino would have been built, showed stronger support than the whiter Northern precincts.
Richmond was one of five Virginia cities targeted for casino construction as part of a state legislative package enacted in 2020. Only Richmond rejected the idea, making the city an outlier among the four other municipalities that passed their own casino proposals beforehand.
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Source: www.casino.org
