Richmond revives Urban ONE casino initiative for 2022

ONE CASINO AND RESORT

2001 Walmsley Boulevard
Richmond, Virginia

Richmond voters rejected a casino for their city in a Nov. 2, 2021 referendum. The proposed ONE Casino and Resort was a $517M casino complex planned for South Richmond.

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ONE Casino and Resort

ONE Casino and Resort was a $517 casino resort proposal for South Richmond at Commerce Road and Walmsley Boulevard. The site is an industrial area owned by Philip Morris.

ONE Casino and Resort had been selected by the City of Richmond from six other casino proposals. (See Proposals) The Richmond City Council petitioned the state court to place the Richmond casino proposal on the next election ballot. On Nov. 2, 2021, the casino measure was rejected by City of Richmond voters.

ONE Casino was proposed by URBAN ONE, which owns radio stations nationwide including in Richmond. If ONE Casino had been approved by voters, Urban One would be the only Black majority owned casino in the country. Urban One partnered on the plan with Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, which owns Colonial Downs racetrack and Rosie's Gaming emporiums. Peninsula Pacific would have managed the operations of ONE Casino and Resort.

ONE CASINO AND RESORT FEATURES

ONE Casino's 90,000-square-foot gaming floor would host 1,800 slot machines, 100 gaming tables and a sportsbook. The hotel was to be named Legacy Tower and feature 150 guest rooms and suites. Rise Theater was a planned 3,000-seat entertainment center with 200 shows annually produced in partnership with Live Nation.

Richmond, meet ONE. - Courtesy of ONE, Mar 10, 2021. Available from YouTube

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News Headlines

Second Richmond casino referendum wins court permission for Nov 2022 ballot April 1, 2022 - A Circuit Court judge in Richmond has granted permission to the city to place a second casino referendum on November's ballot. A similar ballot was narrowly defeated by ... Read more Richmond City Council seeks Urban One referendum a second time January 29, 2022 - A new effort started by the Richmond City Council this week hopes to place the Urban ONE casino referendum back on the ballot for this coming November 2022. The casino ... Read more Richmond voters reject casino November 4, 2021 - On Tuesday voters rejected a casino referendum to build a casino resort in South Richmond. The measure was defeated by a 1,200-vote margin - 51.4% to 48.56%. Richmond was the last of five cities authorized for a casino ... Read more Richmond casino referendum heads to Nov ballot August 15, 2021 - The Richmond Circuit Court last week approved a petition submitted by the Richmond City Council for a casino referendum to be placed on the city's November ballot. Richmond voters will now vote to approve ... Read more More Headlines ...

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Richmond Casino History

Richmond was one of five cities approved by the Virginia legislature as a location for development of a casino resort. Richmond postponed its casino application process until 2021, while the other four cities proceeded in 2020 and received voter approvals in the Nov. 2020 elecltion.

The following six casino proposals were submitted to Richmond before the Feb 22, 2021 deadline. After months of vetting, Richmond selected ONE CASINO AND RESORT for a voter referendum in Nov 2021.

The five rejected casino proposals were the following:

• Bally's Corp - "BALLY'S RICHMOND CASINO RESORT"

• The Cordish Companies - "LIVE! CASINO & RESORT RICHMOND"

• Golden Nugget - "GOLDEN NUGGET HOTEL & CASINO"

• Pamunkey Indian Tribe - "RICHMOND RESORT & CASINO"

• Poarch Band of Creek Indians - "WIND CREEK RICHMOND"

Richmond Casino Proposals (2021)

Bally's Corp
BALLY'S RICHMOND CASINO RESORT

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The Cornish Companies
LIVE! CASINO & RESORT RICHMOND

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Golden Nugget
GOLDEN NUGGET HOTEL & CASINO

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Pamunkey Indian Tribe
RICHMOND RESORT AND CASINO

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Poarch Band of Creek Indians
WIND CREEK CASINO

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News Articles

Second Richmond casino referendum wins court permission for Nov 2022 ballot

April 2, 2022

A Circuit Court judge in Richmond has granted permission to the city to place a second casino referendum on November's ballot. A similar ballot was narrowly defeated by voters last November.

The resurrected ballot measure will appear on the ballot like this:

"Shall casino gaming be permitted at a casino gaming establishment in the city of Richmond, Virginia, at 2001 Walmsley Boulevard and 4700 Trenton Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, 23234 as may be approved by the Virginia Lottery Board?"

Judge orders second Richmond casino referendum placed on ballot - Courtesy of WRIC ABC 8News, Mar 22, 2022. Available from YouTube

If approved by voters, Urban One would be licensed to build and operate One Casino Resort featuring a casino with 90,000 square feet, 1,800 slot machines, 100 table games and a sportsbook. The property will also include a 150-room hotel, a 3,000-seat theater, and event space of 20,000 square feet.

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Richmond City Council seeks Urban One referendum a second time

January 29, 2022

A new effort started by the Richmond City Council this week hopes to place the Urban ONE casino referendum back on the ballot for this coming November 2022. The casino proposal was rejected by Richmond voters in the last election.

Richmond to get second shot at Urban One casino - Courtesy of WTVR CBS 6, Jan 24, 2022. Available from YouTube

The Richmond City Council voted Monday to revive the Urban ONE casino project and move forward with a second ballot referendum for this November's election. The new effort was headed by Councilwoman Reva Trammell, who supported the first casino referendum that rejected by voters in the election last November.

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Richmond voters reject casino

November 4, 2021

On Tuesday voters rejected a casino referendum to build a casino resort in South Richmond. The measure was defeated by a 1,200-vote margin - 51.4% to 48.56%. Richmond was the last of five cities authorized by the state for a casino license. Each was subject to local voter approval.

The Tuesday vote ended the ONE Casino and Resort proposal for Richmond. The $517 casino project was planned for a site in Sout Richmond at Commerce Road and Walmsley Boulevard and include a 90,000-square-foot casino, an event center and a hotel.

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Richmond casino referendum heads to Nov ballot

August 15, 2021

The Richmond Circuit Court last week approved a petition submitted by the Richmond City Council for a casino referendum to be placed on the city's November ballot. Richmond voters will now vote to approve or reject the proposal by ONE Casino & Resort to build a casino on the city's South Side.

If Richmond voter approve the referendum, ONE Casino & Resort will spend $562.5 million to build a 100,000-square-foot casino with 1,800 slot machines, 100 table games and a sportsbook. The plan includes 12 restaurants and bars, a 3,000-seat entertainment venue and a 250-room hotel.

Richmond will now be the last of five Virginia cities to vote on a casino ballot measure. Voters in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth approved similar measures last year.

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Richmond Casino's Latest Timeline - Update

August 3, 2021

The ONE Casino and Resort project has taken several key steps recently towards approval to build a casino in south Richmond, Virginia.

• In July the Virginia Lottery Board approved the final casino gaming regulations for licensing and managing all state casinos.

• Last week the Richmond City Council approved a Host Community Agreement with ONE Casino and Resort that outlines the municipal services and support to be provided to the casino by the city and the compensation that the casino will pay the city.

• Richmond can now petition the Circuit Court to add a casino referendum to the November 2 ballot. The ballot measure would give Richmond residents the final decision for approving or rejecting a casino in the city.

• The ONE Casino and Resort project has taken several key steps recently towards approval to build a casino in south Richmond, Virginia.

• If Richmond voters approve the casino measure, One Casino and Resort will open in October 2024.

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ONE Casino and Resort selected for Richmond voter referendum

May 22, 2021

ONE Casino and Resort was selected as Richmond's sole casino candidate for a city voter referendum in November 2021. Richmond's Resort Casino Evaluation Panel announced the selection Thursday after narrowing the decision down from four initial applicants. Mayor Stoney will present the ONE Casino and Resort proposal to the Richmond City Council, which is expected to confirm the choice and petition the state court for a November voter referendum.

Richmond panel selects ONE Casino and Resort project to be on November ballot - Courtesy of NBC12 Richmond, May 20, 2021. Available from YouTube

ONE Casino and Resort is proposed by Urban One. If approved by voters, Urban One will be the nation's only Black majority-owner of a casino. Urban One is partnering with Peninsula Pacific Entertainment to build the $517 million casino complex at Commerce Road and Walmsley Boulevard.

ONE Casino will have a 90,000-square-foot gaming floor with 1,800 slot machines, 100 gaming tables and a sportsbook.

The ONE Casino hotel will be named Legacy Tower with 4-Star and AAA 4-Diamond ratings. The initial number of guest rooms will be 150. The number may be expanded to 500 in the future.

ONE Casino will include an entertainment center named Rise Theater. ONE Casino will partner with Live Nation to bring 200 shows annually to this 3,000-seat venue.

Urban One CEO Alfred Liggins is targeting December 2022 for the grand opening of the first phase of the construction.

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Richmond Casino selection is down to two proposals

May 1, 2021

Richmond's Mayor announced last week that Bally's Corporation has been eliminated as a candidate for the city's future casino. The final selection will now be made between the two remaining applicants, Cordish Companies and Urban One. That decision is expected to be announced by June. The final decision will be made by Richmond voters in the November election.

The Cordish Companies
Cordish proposes to build a $600 million casino complex named Live! Casino & Resort Richmond. It will be located on 17 acres at 1301 North Arthur Ashe Blvd. See details

Urban One
Urban One is the largest African-American-owned broadcasting company in the nation. It proposes a $517 million casino hotel named One Casino & Resort to be built at 2001 Walmsley Boulevard, Richmond. See details

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Richmond casino proposals cut to three candidates

April 4, 2021

After reviewing six casino proposals submitted in February, Richmond has dropped three and kept three to continue in the selection process.

The three proposals still in consideration are:

• Bally's Richmond Casino Resort - Bally's Corp

• Live! Casino & Resort Richmond - The Cordish Companies

• ONE Casino and Resort - Urban One

The three proposals dropped from consideration are:

• Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino - Golden Nugget

• Richmond Resort & Casino - Pamunkey Indian Tribe

• Wind Creek Richmond - Poarch Band of Creek Indians

The mayor's advisory board will recommend one of the remaining three casino operators to the Richmond City Council by late May or June. If accepted by the council, the final decision will be made by Richmond voters in a November referendum.

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Richmond casino bidders include Alabama's Poarch Indians

February 25, 2021

Poarch Band of Creek Indians have joined the fight for the sole casino license in Richmond, VA. The tribe submitted a $541 million proposal to build a casino resort on the city's South Side.

Poarch Band of Creek Indians own Wind Creek Casinos in Alabama, Pennsylvania and the Caribbean. The Richmond casino would be branded Wind Creek Richmond and include a casino, hotel and family entertainment center.

The proposed casino is 100,000 square feet with 2,500 slot machines and 120 table games. The hotel has two towers with 252 guest rooms each plus a spa, indoor pool and fitness center. There will also be a family entertainment center.

See All Proposals for the Richmond Casino

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Richmond receives four casino applications by deadline

February 23, 2021

Before the deadline closed last night, four applicants had submitted their proposals for building a casino in Richmond, Virginia. Here is the early information regarding the applications. More details are expected in the next week.

Inside the different plans to build casinos in Richmond - Courtesy of WTVR CBS 6, Feb 23, 2021. Available from YouTube

The next step is for an evaluation panel to review the applications and make recommendations. The Richmond City Council will review the recommendations and vote to accept one plan. The process will then move to a local referendum in November, where Richmond residents will approve or reject the casino plan. If voters approve, the casino will take 18-24 months to build.

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Richmond casino will be selected from three proposals

December 29, 2020

Voters in Richmond, Virginia will decide in a Nov 2021 election whether to approve or reject a casino for their city. The casino proposed on the ballot will be selected by the Richmond City Council from multiple applications submitted by casino development groups.

Three groups have announced interested in building the Richmond casino:

• Pamunkey Indian Tribe
  The Pamunkey Tribe proposed a $350 million casino in South Richmond last year. The tribe is building a $500 million casino resort in Norfolk.

• Revolutionary Racing
  This Chicago-based company owns and operates Rosie's Gaming Emporiums and the Colonial Downs Racetrack.

• Urban One Inc
  This is a Maryland company with the mission "to be the most trusted source in the African-American community that informs, entertains, and inspires."

In February the Richmond City Council will review the proposals submitted by each of the three parties, and a final winner will be chosen for the ballot initiative.

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Richmond casino timeline through 2023

December 7, 2020

Richmond is starting the year-long process to select a casino applicant and location for development of a casino resort within its city. Richmond was one of five cities authorized by the Virginia General Assembly to build a resort casino. Voters in four of those cities - Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth - approved plans local casino plans last month.

This week Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announced the general timeline for the project from starting now until a voter referendum next year.

December 2020
A public survey began Dec. 1 seeking public comments and inputs regarding a potential casino resort in Richmond. The survey will close Dec. 14 and the results will be included in a Request for Proposal (RFP) document for interested applicants.

February 2021
The application process will open in late December and continue until February 2021.

Summer 2021
An applicant will be selected as the casino operator, and the casino site will be determined in the development proposal.

November 2, 2021
Richmond voters will approve or disapprove a referendum for the casino resort.

2023
If the referendum passes, the casino will take 18-24 months to build. The opening will be likely be in 2023. It could open as early as the end of 2022.

Earlier this year the Pamunkey Tribe proposed building a $350M casino and hotel in Richmond. Since then the tribe has won the approval to build a casino resort in Norfolk, See Pamunkey proposal.

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Pamunkey Indian Tribe proposes $350M Richmond casino resort

January 23, 2020

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe announced plans yesterday for a $350 million casino resort in South Richmond. The tribe will seek gaming authorization from the U.S. Department of Interior to build the casino under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) rather than seek a commercial license from Virginia under pending legislation.

The Richmond casino proposal is the second for the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. The announcement follows 5 days after signing a land agreement with the City of Norfolk to build a $700 million commercial casino resort on the banks of the Elizabeth River.

The proposed casino site is 36 acres in South Richmond that are located on Ingram Avenue at Commerce Road with primary access from Interstate 95 at Maury Street.

Chief of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, Robert Gray, made this statement:

"We are very excited about our plans to bring a great resort and casino to Richmond. Not only does this help fulfill the government's intent to use gaming to help us secure our future, but it will also be a great economic boost for the city of Richmond and its citizens."

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News Headlines Continued

2021

Richmond Casino's Latest Timeline - Update August 3, 2021 - The ONE Casino and Resort project has taken several key steps recently towards approval to build a casino in south Richmond, Virginia. The latest action by the Richmond City Council to approve a Host ... Read more When will Virginia Casinos Open? May 29, 2021 - Virginia General Assembly approved legislation in 2019 for five cities to accept or reject a state-licensed casino. Here is the casino status for each of these five cities and the steps needed to complete construction and open the doors ... Read more ONE Casino and Resort selected for Richmond voter referendum May 22, 2021 - ONE Casino and Resort was selected as Richmond's sole casino candidate for a city voter referendum in November 2021. Richmond's Resort Casino Evaluation Panel announced the ... Read more Richmond Casino selection is down to two proposals May 1, 2021 - Richmond's Mayor announced last week that Bally's Corporation has been eliminated as a candidate for the city's future casino. The final selection will now be made between Cordish Companies and Urban ... Read more Richmond casino proposals cut to three candidates April 4, 2021 - After reviewing six casino proposals submitted in February, Richmond has dropped three and kept three to continue in the selection process. The three proposals still in consideration are Bally's, Live! Richmond, ... Read more Virginia Lottery Board approves state casino regulations February 13, 2021 - Last week the Virginia State Lottery Board approved its initial set of casino regulations to govern state-approved casino gambling operations. The provisions include slot machine payout percentages ... Read more Richmond casino bidders include Alabama's Poarch Indians February 25, 2021 - Poarch Band of Creek Indians have joined the fight for the sole casino license in Richmond, VA. The tribe submitted a $541 million proposal to build a casino resort on the city's South Side. ... Read more Richmond receives four casino applications by deadline February 23, 2021 - Before the deadline closed last night, four applicants had submitted their proposals for building a casino in Richmond, Virginia. Here is the early information regarding the applications. ... Read more

2020

Richmond casino will be selected from three proposals December 29, 2020 - Voters in Richmond, Virginia will decide in a Nov 2021 election whether to approve or reject a casino for their city. The casino proposed on the ballot will be selected by the Richmond City Council ... Read more Richmond casino timeline through 2023 December 7, 2020 - Richmond is starting the year-long process to select a casino applicant for development of a casino resort within its city. Richmond was one of five cities authorized by the Virginia General Assembly to build a casino ... Read more Pamunkey Indian Tribe proposes $350M Richmond casino resort January 23, 2020 - The Pamunkey tribe have announced plans to build a $350 million Indian gaming casino in South Richmond. The project includes a 275-room hotel, spa, pool and fitness center ... Read more

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