Petersburg bets big on future with 82% voting to add casino

PETERSBURG, Va. (WWBT) - Petersburg voters clearly felt lucky at the ballot box on Tuesday, with an 82% majority saying “yes” to the Live! Casino Resort.

Many residents hope this will be the economic shot in the arm that the city needs.

On Wednesday, developers said they have started the process of getting permits and are awaiting approval from the City of Petersburg and the Virginia Lottery Commission.

“Once we get those approvals we hope to start construction early next year,” The Cordish Companies Chief Operating Officer Zed Smith said.

Smith said they aim to finish the casino portion of the resort first, with a target opening date of early 2026.

“It’s been a three-year journey for us in just trying to get to this moment. As you know, in Richmond, it was very challenging,” Smith said. “We didn’t get to the finish line there, but it created this moment for the City of Petersburg. So I feel that we are exactly where we’re supposed to be.”

Petersburg residents voiced their agreement during Tuesday’s election.

“I feel good about it,” resident Andrea Valencia said. “I think it will be really good for the local economy and bring a lot of jobs to the area. I’m excited to see what’s going to happen.”

Co-developers Bruce Smith Enterprises and The Cordish Companies anticipate the Live! Casino Resort will bring a $2.8 billion economic boost to the region over the next decade.

It is money they hope to reinvest into the community.

“Some of those tax dollars will go toward strengthening the police force here. I think the best way up for a city like Petersburg is to create jobs, so people have the opportunity to work, make a decent salary, take care of their families. And that’s what we’re going to be offering the citizens here,” Smith said.

He said the project will add roughly 6,000 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs, all with competitive salaries and benefits.

Smith said they are contacting local colleges and universities about getting students internships and jobs.

“So we can retain that talent here in Central Virginia,” Smith said.

There will also be a loyalty program through which casino patrons can accrue points to pay for goods and services at participating Petersburg businesses.

Some critics of the casino voiced concerns about a potential increase in crime.

“Well, number one, that’s a total myth,” Smith said. “There’s a lot of studies that have been done on crime related to casinos. And actually, crime either stabilizes or goes down.”

Smith says that being in a casino is safe because of all the security it has in protecting patrons.

“So it’s just, you know, it’s not Las Vegas. It’s not Atlantic City. These are regional casinos,” Smith said. ”And we work really hard to maintain a publicly safe environment for our guests.”

The Live! Casino Resort will have 400,000 sq. ft. of gaming, hotel, dining space, and a 3,000-seat entertainment venue.

The casino will cover over 90 acres near the Wagner Road exit off I-95, along Brasfield Parkway.