The Roanoke City Council did not include a request for casino approval or mention the issue in its list of legislative priorities that will be submitted to the General Assembly.
A casino would require the state legislature’s approval, and local legislators’ opposition suggests it may be an uphill climb.
“The Berglund Center currently exists on land that was taken using Eminent Domain. I think it would be an atrocious thing to then turn that land into a casino. I don’t think that would be good for the Roanoke Valley, and I’m glad we’ve had bipartisan agreement that’s not something we should pursue,” said Senator David Sutterlein, a Republican who represents the 4th District, which includes all of Roanoke City.
