Nebraska And Virginia Vote To Allow Casino GamblingCasinos Will Be Built At Race Tracks In Nebraska, While Las Vegas-Style Properties Will Break Ground In Four Virginia Cities |
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Voters in two of the most historically anti-gambling states in the country decided to allow brick-and-mortar casinos in its borders.
The electorate in four Virginia cities and throughout the entirety of Nebraska voted in favor of expanding gambling in its state.
In the Cornhusker State, there were three ballot initiatives that would allow for casino gambling. According to a report from the Lincoln Journal-Star, all three received “Yes” votes by about a 2-to-1 margin.
The three initiatives amended the state constitution to authorize casino gambling, tax revenue from it, and use that to alleviate property taxes. Early estimates are calculating nearly $65 million in tax revenue just from the addition of casinos.
Casinos will be permitted at existing Nebraska horse racing tracks. They are expected to be built at existing tracks in Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island, Columbus, Sioux City and Hastings. If a new track is built in the future, those will be allowed casino gaming as well.
It’s the end of an arduous journey for gambling proponents in the state. Last summer, a pro-gambling group collected enough signatures to put the initiatives on the ballot but was denied access by the Secretary of State. Eventually, the state’s Supreme Court overturned his decision and gave final say to the voters.
In Virginia, Las Vegas-style casinos will come to Danville, Portsmouth, Norfolk and Bristol. Unlike Nebraska, the vote was only up to those residents of those four cities. All of which voted in favor of allowing casinos.
Caesars Entertainment will construct the Danville casino and Hard Rock International will build the property in Bristol. The Pamunkey Tribe has been given the opportunity to build the casino in Norfolk, while Rush Street gaming will build its fifth casino in Portsmouth.
The city of Richmond was allowed to have a referendum on the issue as well, but it held the initiative until next year. If Richmond votes to allow casino gaming, the Pamunkey Tribe would have the right to build a property in the state’s capital.
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