Bill seeking to block second casino attempt in Richmond killed in committee – WAVY.com

by: Emma North, Ben Dennis

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) The Virginia Senate Finance Committee voted to kill a bill today that wouldve required five years between casino referendum attempts.

The bill, patroned by Sen. Joe Morrissey (D-Petersburg), sought to prevent Richmond from putting a casino referendum on the ballot and give Petersburg a try instead. There is still a matching bill in the house that Morrissey said hes hopeful continues.

The defeat in the Senate was a win for the majority of Richmonds City Council who has joined fellow councilmember Reva Trammell in her push for a second chance at bringing the Urban ONE casino to her district. The citys first attempt was narrowly shot down by voters in 2021.

Trammell testified against the bill today saying please let us have a second chance in Richmond, Virginia.

Both bills in the General Assembly, including the bill still alive in the House, add Petersburg to the list of eligible host cities for a casino, in addition to the five years between referendum rule.

The subcommittee in the House recommended that the casino bill be amended.

See the original post here:

Bill seeking to block second casino attempt in Richmond killed in committee - WAVY.com