This week promises to be possibly make-or-break time for Petersburg’s chances of landing a casino resort in the city. Committees in both the House of Delegates and state Senate are expected to take up legislation that would allow Petersburg to hold a referendum in November on whether legalized gambling can be brought to the city.
Four other cities in Virginia have passed similar referendums, and in two of those cities — Bristol and Portmouth — the casinos are up and running. A fifth city, Richmond, rejected its referendum 14 months ago, and that is when Petersburg launched its casino candidacy.
Here is a primer on where we have been in the 2023 legislative process concerning the legislation:
