While Petersburg officials celebrate the passage of state budget language that they said paves the way for a casino in their community, Richmond officials and the would-be developer of a Richmond casino are decrying the legislation as “unlawful.”

In a news conference Thursday morning, Petersburg leaders, joined by Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, heralded state lawmakers for including a budget provision barring Richmond from holding another casino referendum this November after voters there rejected plans for the nearly $600 million One Casino and Resort last fall.

However, in a joint statement a few hours after the event, Richmond officials and Urban One Inc…suggested that they might file suit in an effort to let a second casino vote go forward this fall in accordance with an order from Richmond Circuit Court that OK’d a new vote and “pre-certification” from the Virginia Lottery.