The residents of Petersburg, Virginia have voted decisively in favour of the US$1.4bn Live! Casino Resort project in a historic referendum.
With 80 per cent of the votes in favour of the project going ahead, this marks the highest support for a casino referendum in Virginia history.
Live! Casino Resort, which will be co-developed by The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise, is projected to bring significant economic benefits to the region. This development will include not only gaming and entertainment options but also restaurants, hotels and event spaces, making Petersburg a destination for tourism and entertainment in Virginia.
Construction will commence after the vote is certified and all required approvals are received, with an anticipated opening date of the initial first phase casino in 2026.
"We are deeply gratified by the community's affirmation of this project and very hopeful about the meaningful impact it will have on the city's future," said Bruce Smith, owner of Bruce Smith Enterprise, Pro Football Hall of Fame member, developer and community leader, and co-developer of the planned Live! Casino Resort in Petersburg.
"The casino will not only create good-paying jobs for our residents but will also attract visitors statewide and beyond, stimulating local businesses and in turn producing an overall ripple effect of economic growth. Now that the voters have spoken, we look forward to working with the City of Petersburg and the Virginia Lottery to secure all of the necessary permitting, licensing and regulatory approvals for this project to move forward."
