Hampton Roads Casino
“There are enough casinos that have failed to make us wonder whether Hampton Roads could sustain a casino in Norfolk and a casino in Portsmouth,” said Bob McNab, professor of economics at Old.
Hampton Beach, NH 03842 603-929-4100. Tickets & Events General. Thanks for helping to make the Casino Ballroom New Hampshire's Premier Entertainment Facility. On Tuesday, the Portsmouth City Council approved Rush Street Gaming’s casino proposal and the Norfolk City Council selected the Pamunkey Indian Tribe as its preferred casino operator, as the two Hampton Roads projects move toward a November referendum vote on the cities’ ballots. Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming expects to invest at least $300 million, the. Nikki Bass, a councilwoman for the Nansemond, said the true tribe of Hampton Roads is theirs. 'The Nansemond Indian Tribe has always been in Hampton Roads for thousands of years.
Some good news if you like to bet money on roulette: casino gambling in Virginia is one step closer to reality.
Hampton Roads Casino Night
A Senate committee passed legislation to allow five cities in the state to hold referenda on casinos, including Bristol, Danville, Richmond, Norfolk, and Portsmouth.
There's still more to happen in Richmond before the bill becomes a law, but supporters say it's likely the General Assembly will pass the legislation.
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Advocates say a casino would create jobs and boost local economies.
'Everyone else is getting casinos, everywhere else. Why we can't have one down this way?' Portsmouth resident Antwon Vreen asked. 'It will keep everything in the neighborhood, keep all the people born and raised in Portsmouth. Louise Lucas, she's the senator and whatever she says goes. I believe it's good and I want it to come.'
Senator Louise Lucas, a longtime supporter of casino gambling, introduced the bill.
Lucas' daughter, Portsmouth Vice Mayor Lisa Lucas Burke, noted the city already has plans for the casino. It will be built as part of a larger entertainment district with restaurants, shopping, and maybe a movie theater.
'This is going to mean more revenue, more opportunity, more reason to live in Portsmouth. This is something we have been striving for, for my entire time on the city council,' Lucas Burke said.
She added, she's not worried about the competition from a potential casino in Norfolk.
'When they go to casinos - Ocean Downs [in Maryland] and Dover Downs [in Delaware] - people will visit one on one day, and then they visit the other on the way home,' she said. 'So having two localities just brings in more revenue for everybody.'
Hampton Roads Casino Bill
The Pamunkey Tribe already signed on to run a casino near Norfolk's Harbor Park.
'It's good for the area,' Norfolk resident Curtis Weaver said. 'You can sit in there and relax and have a good time... it's a good thing. It's not bad at all.'
There are renderings for the project, but developers are awaiting confirmation from the state before taking the next steps.
Hampton Roads Casino
Pamunkey spokesperson Jay Smith noted the tribe is optimistic about the future.
'Both the House and the Senate subcommittees have made an indication that casino and gaming are coming to Virginia, so we are optimistic that this legislation will keep moving forward,' he said. 'This is a destination resort and casino so we anticipate millions of visitors coming to this location not only to enjoy the resort and casino but also the other amenities and attractions that the Norfolk area has to offer.'
It hasn't been an easy road in Norfolk. A petition against the proposal gathered enough signatures, prompting City Council to schedule more public meetings about the casino.
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RELATED: Norfolk casino fight drags on
“Rosie’s” can feature up to 700 historical horse racing machines
HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — The Hampton City Council has given the go-ahead for a new gambling operation that is the closest thing to a casino that Hampton Roads has ever seen.
Council unanimously voted Wednesday night to issue an operating permit for “Rosie’s Gaming Emporium,” an off-track betting and restaurant venue, planned for the Power Plant of Hampton Roads Entertainment District
The $40 million gaming venture, owned and eventually operated by the Colonial Downs Group, will encompass nearly 40,000-square-feet. While the majority of the space will come in the form of a new building, the facility will use all of the space formerly occupied by the NASCAR Sports Grille and Luckie’s Dueling Pianos.
It will be one of 5 “Rosie’s” locations to open up in the state and the first in Hampton Roads.
“We’re just excited to be part of the community,” said Aaron Gomes, Chief Operating Officer of the Colonial Downs Group, which is also currently working to reopen the Colonial Downs Raceway in New Kent.
“I think that the customer that traditionally games at a casino will find the historical horse racing games very entertaining,” Gomes said.
The Hampton “Rosie’s” location could include up to 700 historical horse racing machines, which were just legalized last year in Virginia. They act and look similar to many slot machines seen in casinos around the country.
“Every time you push a button here, the wheels will spin here, but all it is is betting on a combination of historical horse races,” Gomes said. “It will look and feel very similar.”
The names of the jockey’s, horses, date of the race and track are all erased, according to Gomes. Real states about the horse are displayed prior to the placement of a wager.
You must be 18-years of age or older to play.
Nobody spoke in opposition to the plan and nobody appeared to two community meetings Colonial Downs said they held last year, according to the City Planning Department.
The gaming venue will be open 8 a.m. – 2 a.m. seven days a week with a minimum of 7 security officers on property at all times.
In addition, all 200 staff members will be trained to spot “problem gambling” according to Gomes.
Construction is expected to start in the coming weeks with an opening scheduled for early Fall.