Youngkin appoints lottery director, tax commissioner and chief transformation officer
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced three new hires in his administration Friday, including a new lottery director, chief transformation officer and tax commissioner. Khalid Jones, a hedge fund founder, attorney and licensing firm partner, was appointed director of the Virginia Lottery, assuming the role previously held by Kelly Gee, who was named secretary of the commonwealth […]
Bruce Smith teams with Cordish on Petersburg casino plan
Virginia Beach developer and NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith is vying for the chance to develop a casino in Petersburg and has joined forces with Cordish Cos., the Baltimore-based entertainment company that has already made inroads in Virginia. There’s just one obstacle facing Smith and other prospective developers, including Bally’s, Penn Entertainment, Rush Street Gaming […]
Virginians wagered $545M on sports in February
Virginians bet $545 million on sports in February, 25.6% more than in February 2023, according to data released Monday by the Virginia Lottery. February’s handle was a 16.5% decrease from the $652.87 million Virginians bet in January. Virginia bettors won approximately $495 million in February and more than $587.5 million in January. About $540 million […]
Virginians bet nearly $653M on sports in January
Virginians bet more than $652.87 million on sports in January, up 27.2% from January 2023, according to data released Friday by the Virginia Lottery. January’s handle is a 3.11% increase from December 2023, when Virginians bet about $633 million on sports. Virginia bettors won more than $578.5 million in January and more than $569.57 million […]
Tourism: Game on
According to the state government, visitor spending across Virginia surpassed $30 billion in 2022, exceeding 2019 expenditures by 4.4%. Nevertheless, business travel still hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels, particularly in Northern Virginia. But leisure travel is back and booming. Hotel revenues were up 13% statewide in 2023, compared with 2019, with more rooms sold at […]
Va. casinos report almost $53M in January revenue
January gaming revenues from Virginia’s three casinos totaled $52.86 million, according to Virginia Lottery data released Thursday. Virginia’s first casino, the Bristol Casino: Future Home of Hard Rock temporary facility, opened July 2022. The Virginia Lottery Board approved HR Bristol’s casino license in April 2022. Last month, the Bristol casino generated about $9.9 million fro[...]
Virginians wager $633M on sports in December
Virginians bet about $633 million on sports in December 2023, up 25.9% from December 2022, according to data released by the Virginia Lottery on Feb. 1. December’s handle is a 0.88% decrease from November 2023, when Virginians bet $638.8 million on sports. Virginia bettors won more than $569.57 million in December 2023 and $595.8 million […]
Fairfax, Petersburg could hold casino referendums
Two pending Virginia State Senate bills would change the list of locations eligible to host a casino, adding Petersburg and Fairfax County to the mix and removing Richmond. On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology’s gaming subcommittee met to discuss these and other measures regarding skill games, sports betting and horse racing. […]
Caesars Virginia ‘tops off’ Danville casino
Caesars Virginia is a step closer to opening its permanent casino in Danville after a topping-off ceremony Thursday. Though the temporary casino opened in May 2023, work on the permanent Caesars Virginia casino and 12-story hotel has been ongoing. The floor of the casino has been poured, metal framing is in place and the hotel […]
100 People to Meet in 2024: Hosts
Nourishing and delighting us, these Virginians welcome us to their communities through food, hospitality and entertainment. Chris Albrecht Senior vice president and general manager, Caesars Virginia Danville In May, the temporary Caesars Virginia casino opened in Danville, led by General Manager Chris Albrecht. A Florida native, Albrecht has worked for Caesars Entertainment for 18 years […]
Nasdaq triggers delisting process for Urban One
Nasdaq has begun the delisting process for Urban One, the Maryland-based media company behind the proposed casino in Richmond, because it has not filed quarterly finance reports for fiscal year 2023 on time. The stock exchange’s notification does not affect trading of Urban One or its presence on Nasdaq yet; according to a Friday news […]
Casino backers gamble on November revote
On Aug. 31, a new name was unveiled for the proposed $562 million resort casino that Richmond voters will be reconsidering in a November referendum: the Richmond Grand Resort & Casino. But not much else appears new about the project. The Richmond Grand Resort & Casino seems virtually identical to the proposed ONE Casino + […]