Casino developers in Virginia are excited about the passage of a new sports betting bill. The proposal, which was earlier approved by the lawmakers was sent back with amendments by Gov. Ralph Northam. The General Assembly has accepted the amendments. Now, the state is one step closer to getting five new casinos with sports betting options.

Five cities ready for casinos

With the bill, the cities of Norfolk, Richmond, Portsmouth, Danville, and Bristol will be hosting a new casino each. The Pamunkey Tribe is eyeing two casinos in Norfolk and Richmond. Its spokesperson Jay Smith said,

“The Pamunkey Tribe thanks the Governor and the General Assembly for recognizing their right to pursue gaming and for allowing the Tribe to be included in this legislation.”

He added that the bill will help the Tribe in moving forward so that it could create services and programs to help itself and the Commonwealth. He also said that the Tribe is native to Virginia and aims to reinvest its profits locally so that the state, and especially the communities where casinos operate, benefit from their operations.

Colonial Downs, which is already operating historical racing machines on its horse racetrack alongside numerous off-track betting parlors said that it is also eyeing a casino in Richmond. Its brand in the state is Rosie’s Gaming Emporium. However, their plans now depend on a November referendum when citizens of all five cities will vote if they want to get a casino or not. It is only after this that the local governments will start accepting license applications. This means that the state’s betting markets won’t launch before 2021.

A new journey for the state

Local businessmen Clyde Stacey and Jim McGlothlin organized a campaign called “Betting on Bristol” to end the longstanding prohibition on gambling in the Commonwealth. The lawmakers’ decision to move a bill was a direct result of their campaign. Both entrepreneurs have tied up with Hard Rock International to convert the vacant Bristol Mall into a new resort called Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol.

They also released a statement, expressing their contentment with the passage of the bill. The two noted that they are looking forward to receiving approval from citizens during the referendum so that they could give the state’s economy a stimulus and create new jobs. However, they are not the only party looking to make a casino in Bristol. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is also planning a casino at the Pinnacle shopping complex owned by real estate developer Steve Johnson.