Richmond Radio: Voters Reject Urban One's Plan For Casino

Artist's Rendering

Richmond residents decided not to take a gamble on the city’s casino referendum Tuesday night.

Unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections shows 51 percent of Richmond voters chose “no” on the referendum.

Urban One, fevelopers for One Casino + Resort had promised the project would be a game-changer for revenue and jobs. The location would’ve been in south Richmond, just off Interstate 95. The multi-million dollar development was going to include 100,000 square feet of casino space, a luxury hotel, a live theater and dozens of new restaurants. They also said the project would’ve brought 4,500 construction and resort jobs to the city.

Richmond’s casino referendum was the highest-profile local race this year, attracting an intense ad campaign from the project’s sponsor, Urban ONE, and pushback from local activists.

The referendum was the last of five held in independent cities across Virginia. In November 2020, the General Assembly approved plans for casino developments, pending approval from local voters.

Richmond City Council selected the Urban ONE proposal – billed as ONE Casino + Resort – from a slate of three offerings. The project has since attracted high-profile support from city council members, Reverend Al Sharpton and Mayor Levar Stoney.

Urban ONE is a media company with radio stations in major cities, as well as a minority stake in the MGM National Harbor casino in Maryland. Urban One's station KISS FM aired ads promoting the casino – alongside billboards, yard signs and newspaper ads.

But opposition manifested locally as well, with community activists questioning whether the promised economic benefits would materialize and warning about a potential increase in problem gambling.

Alfred Liggins (left), Urban One CEO released the following statement:

“While extremely disappointed, our entire Urban One family, my mother and business partner Cathy Hughes, and I accept the will of city of Richmond residents. For the last two years, we have worked so hard to build a large and inclusive tent with our ONE Casino + Resort project. We had a lot of loyal supporters who worked tirelessly on behalf of this project and for whom we will be eternally grateful. We ran a robust campaign and strongly believe this is a huge missed opportunity for Richmond residents to have a tourist attraction that would have provided the financial resources to improve schools and roads as well as enrich the lives of its citizens. Urban One has been a part of the fabric of Richmond for the last twenty-two years, and we will continue our tradition of serving the community.”