Some good news if you like to bet money on roulette: casino gambling in Virginia is one step closer to reality.
Say hello to the all-new Rosie’s Gaming Emporium Rosie’s in Hampton features 700 HHR machines that look, feel, and play like the games you know and love. Nikki Bass, a councilwoman for the Nansemond, said the true tribe of Hampton Roads is theirs. 'The Nansemond Indian Tribe has always been in Hampton Roads for thousands of years.
Hampton Roads Casinos
Using a five-year timeline, the study reviewed a variety of development scenarios: one with casinos in three cities within Hampton Roads, a scenario with two cities — Hampton and Portsmouth —. “There are enough casinos that have failed to make us wonder whether Hampton Roads could sustain a casino in Norfolk and a casino in Portsmouth,” said Bob McNab, professor of economics at Old. After the state conducted an economic impact study, Hampton came back with its own showing three casinos could be lucrative in Hampton Roads. Norfolk and Portsmouth following referendums earlier.
A Senate committee passed legislation to allow five cities in the state to hold referenda on casinos, including Bristol, Danville, Richmond, Norfolk, and Portsmouth.
There's still more to happen in Richmond before the bill becomes a law, but supporters say it's likely the General Assembly will pass the legislation.
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Advocates say a casino would create jobs and boost local economies.
'Everyone else is getting casinos, everywhere else. Why we can't have one down this way?' Portsmouth resident Antwon Vreen asked. 'It will keep everything in the neighborhood, keep all the people born and raised in Portsmouth. Louise Lucas, she's the senator and whatever she says goes. I believe it's good and I want it to come.'
Senator Louise Lucas, a longtime supporter of casino gambling, introduced the bill.
Lucas' daughter, Portsmouth Vice Mayor Lisa Lucas Burke, noted the city already has plans for the casino. It will be built as part of a larger entertainment district with restaurants, shopping, and maybe a movie theater.
'This is going to mean more revenue, more opportunity, more reason to live in Portsmouth. This is something we have been striving for, for my entire time on the city council,' Lucas Burke said.
She added, she's not worried about the competition from a potential casino in Norfolk.
'When they go to casinos - Ocean Downs [in Maryland] and Dover Downs [in Delaware] - people will visit one on one day, and then they visit the other on the way home,' she said. 'So having two localities just brings in more revenue for everybody.'
The Pamunkey Tribe already signed on to run a casino near Norfolk's Harbor Park.
'It's good for the area,' Norfolk resident Curtis Weaver said. 'You can sit in there and relax and have a good time... it's a good thing. It's not bad at all.'
There are renderings for the project, but developers are awaiting confirmation from the state before taking the next steps.
Pamunkey spokesperson Jay Smith noted the tribe is optimistic about the future.
'Both the House and the Senate subcommittees have made an indication that casino and gaming are coming to Virginia, so we are optimistic that this legislation will keep moving forward,' he said. 'This is a destination resort and casino so we anticipate millions of visitors coming to this location not only to enjoy the resort and casino but also the other amenities and attractions that the Norfolk area has to offer.'
It hasn't been an easy road in Norfolk. A petition against the proposal gathered enough signatures, prompting City Council to schedule more public meetings about the casino.
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RELATED: Norfolk casino fight drags on
RICHMOND, Va. - Could there really be two casinos in Hampton Roads?
Right now, debate continues on proposals to build casinos in Norfolk and Portsmouth and for now everything remains on the table.
The Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology voted to approve a bill dealing with casino legislation on Monday. The bill allows for the possibility of five casinos to be built in Virginia - in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Bristol, Danville and Richmond.
It would require referendum elections in each of the cities to see if voters would support the idea. The state wouldn't be able to issue a license for a casino until July 2020.
In addition, it calls for the state to study the issue in order to make the best plan moving forward.
'It's not about being against gambling. It's about making sure we know where we're going so we can make the best deal and best protections for our citizens,' Secretary of Finance Aubrey Layne said of the study.
Hampton Roads supporters have been going back and forth to Richmond over the last two weeks to make their case. Lawmakers came up with a compromise over the weekend before Monday's vote. The legislation now heads to the Senate Finance Committee.
'We need this to survive,' Portsmouth Mayor John Rowe told lawmakers on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe says they are now exploring state approval in addition to seeking a federal distinction to build a casino near Harbor Park in Norfolk.
Hampton Roads Casino Bill
'We intend to purse the federal process, but if the Commonwealth is ready to move forward with commercial gaming, we cannot just stand by and let others move forward without seeking that same opportunity,' said Chief Robert Gray.