Virginia Could See Its First Las Vegas-Style CasinoNative American Tribe Announces Plans For Facility |
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Virginia could finally have a casino.
According to a report from The Washington Post, the Pamunkey Tribe is seeking to build a $700 million casino-resort on land in the eastern part of the state. The tribe secured federal recognition in 2015, which allows it to pursue a casino. Tribal gambling is regulated by the federal government, but tribes do reach gambling revenue sharing deals with whatever state they are in. Federally recognized tribes are considered sovereign nations, but many tribal casinos are in states that are unfriendly towards gaming.
Per the report, MGM Resorts, which in late 2016 opened a $1.4 billion casino in Maryland just outside of the nation’s capitol, unsuccessfully tried to block the tribe’s federal recognition.
The Pamunkey reservation consists of more than 1,000 acres near Richmond.
Should the casino come to fruition, it would surely cause even heavier losses for West Virginia gambling dens, which were hurt by gambling expansion in Maryland. It would also throw some cold water on Maryland’s growing gambling market.
The tribe’s plans are still in the early stages, as it has yet to find investors or partners for the project. Further federal government approval would also be needed, but securing federal recognition was the main hurdle. There is no timetable yet for the project.
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