Virginia: Bill to give Petersburg a shot at a casino advances

Virginia: Bill to give Petersburg a shot at a casino advances

Article brief provided by WRIC-TV
  • Dean Mirshahi, WRIC-TV
January 26, 2023 8:56 PM

Petersburg’s pursuit of a $1.4 billion casino project cleared a hurdle Thursday after a Virginia Senate subcommittee recommended it move forward.

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Several speakers in support and opposition of the legislation from state Sen. Joe Morrissey (D-Richmond), including representatives from Petersburg, the city of Richmond and the casino developer picked by Petersburg, spoke Thursday during the state Senate’s General Laws and Technology gaming subcommittee.

Sen. Morrissey’s bill would add Petersburg to the list of eligible cities for a casino referendum so city residents would decide whether it would be built.

The legislation would also prevent Richmond from holding a second vote until Petersburg “has had a reasonable opportunity” for its own.