HAMPTON, Va. - Could Hampton Roads support casinos in three local cities?
A new study says yes.
A consulting firm, The Innovation Group, spearheaded the study and presented their findings before the Hampton City Council on Wednesday.
Since the Virginia Generally Assembly voted to table a slew of casino bills in a favor of a study at the beginning of the year, localities in Hampton Roads and an Indian tribe have been making. 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. 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.
Hampton Roads Casino
Hampton is just the latest city to consider building a casino. The study found that gaming would bring revenue and profitability to the city.
The group also looked at three different scenarios:
- A casino only in Hampton, on the Peninsula
- A Hampton casino, plus Portsmouth
- A Hampton casino, plus Portsmouth and Norfolk
In each scenario, they found the gaming facility would bring major dollars to the 757.
President of The Innovation Group Michael Soll said, 'In Hampton, the opportunity - particularly at a site like the Coliseum site or a site that already has existing infrastructure and other amenities - it adds to the viability; it adds to the economic impact.'
Soll said the area can handle no more than three casinos, but two would be ideal.
This is all based on if the General Assembly legalizes gaming.
The Innovation Group also did much of the economic modeling for the JLARC state report.
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 Casino
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 Night
Casino In Hampton Roads Va
'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.