Virginia committees advance casino legalization proposals

House and Senate committees have taken steps to legalize casinos in five cities around Virginia, as it is currently one of only a handful of states that forbid any type of casinos, but it has been inching toward legalizing them in recent years.

Both committees advanced legislation Tuesday that would allow voters in Bristol, Danville, Richmond, Norfolk and Portsmouth to hold local referendums to approve casinos.

Advocates say large-scale resorts with casinos in economically disadvantaged areas will create new jobs and boost tax revenues, NBC12 reports.

Conservative groups warned lawmakers that new casinos would enrich wealthy developers and casino operators while hurting the state’s poor.

On Monday, Richmond City Council threw its support behind a possible casino in the city. Councilors heard that casinos could bring in $187 million for Richmond.

They said they’re in favor of allowing them in Richmond, but they want to have local control over the proposal process. Any potential casino would be a full-scale operation with a $200 million investment.

Since casinos are considered a Class 3 operation, Richmond voters would make the final decision during a referendum. That could be this November depending on which legislative bill passes.