Church Hill Down and Urban One must be stopped. We are fighting against a casino backed by millions of dollars and back room deals. The community doesn’t need a casino and we could use your support to help stop it — again!
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In 2021, the people of Richmond voted against a casino, and Mayor Levar Stoney said: “From the beginning, we said the people will decide. They have spoken, and we must respect their decision.”
Fast forward to today, and he has put the issue back on the ballot. This isn’t just about a casino — which is a bad idea — it’s about respecting the democratic will of the people.
Reintroducing a rejected proposal undermines our democracy and erodes trust in local governance. Let’s uphold the integrity of our civic processes. Vote ‘No’ on the casino, again, and re-affirm the voice of the Richmond community.
Mayor Stoney won’t be around to face the casino’s long-term impact on Richmond. As he eyes a future political career, possibly as governor, the casino serves his interests and those of his big donors, not the community’s. The fallout will be ours to clean up, long after he has moved on.
Gambling addiction is a harsh reality that devastates lives and families. For those struggling with this issue, the consequences are often intergenerational, affecting children and future descendants. Introducing a casino to Richmond would put this highly addictive activity right in our backyard, jeopardizing the well-being of our community.
The adage ‘The house always wins’ is painfully true. All casinos profit and they do so as local businesses suffer as consumer spending is redirected to the shiny slots. Residents lured by the promise of quick riches often end up with empty pockets and mounting debts, leaving the community further behind.
The decision to introduce a casino is irreversible and its negative influence will extend for generations. From shaping local politics to diverting resources, a casino would be a permanent fixture that could stifle other community-focused, sustainable development.
Richmond is on an upswing with economic growth and budget surpluses year-after-year. Rather than a casino, we need to focus on organic, community- driven solutions like improving education, housing, and healthcare with long term solutions, not get-rich-schemes. These offer a clear path out of poverty and will sustainably elevate the community.
We asked locals from all over the city and this is what they had to say.
I’ve seen how casinos exploit those desperate for a quick fix, creating a cycle of poverty. It’s not about entertainment; it’s about targeting those who can least afford to lose. We should be investing in education and job training, not a casino that preys on our community’s vulnerabilities.” — Sarah, age 32 Social Worker
“As a small business owner, I’m concerned that a casino will divert local spending. People might gamble away money that would otherwise be spent at shops like mine. We can’t build a community based on the losses of its members.”
— Raj, age 45, Small Business Owner
“I’m against the casino because it takes away from our neighborhood’s unique character. Richmond is a place of history, culture, and community. A casino just turns us into another generic city, losing what makes us special.”
— Carlos age 28, Artist
“Casinos can bring a lot of societal problems that often get overlooked—increased alcoholism, crime rates, even domestic abuse. These aren’t just statistics; they translate to real suffering for people who live near these establishments.”
— Adil age 50 Retired Police Officer
“As a teacher, I see firsthand the effects of economic instability on kids. Adding a casino to the mix doesn’t contribute to creating a safe, nurturing environment for them. It’s a gamble with our future, and I’m not willing to take that bet.” — Nicole age 35 Elementary School Teacher
“Look, I’ve got three kids. I don’t want them growing up thinking that gambling is a way to make a living. I want more for them—education, decent jobs, a stable community. A casino doesn’t fit that picture.”
— Leroy age 44 Construction Worker
“It’s not about being anti-progress; it’s about the kind of progress we want. A casino seems like a fast solution, but it’s actually a road to many more problems. Richmond deserves better.”
— Fiona age 29 Environmental Activist
“Gambling problems break up families. I’ve seen it among my patients. It starts as ‘fun,’ but then debts mount, stress increases, and relationships suffer. We should be creating spaces that foster community well-being, not places that pose a risk to it.”
— Amina age 53 Psychiatrist
“As a retired senior, I want a safe, peaceful community. A casino would bring more traffic, noise, and potentially attract a crowd that’s not really invested in the neighborhood’s long-term health. It doesn’t fit the community we’ve built here.”
— Mary age 68 Retired Nurse
INCREASED POVERTY: Those who can least afford to lose money will most likely to gamble in hopes of a quick financial turnaround, potentially deepening poverty levels.
LOCAL BUSINESS DRAIN: The casino will monopolize consumer spending, drawing money away from existing local businesses and contributing to their decline.
ECONOMIC INEQUALITY: The casino industry often pays service workers low wages, which will not significantly improve the financial standing of local residents who take those jobs as the high paying jobs will go to employees of the operating companies.
ADDICTION: Low-income individuals are particularly vulnerable to gambling addiction, which will lead to a range of social issues like family breakdown, increased debt, and mental health problems.
CRIME: The presence of a casino will encourage criminal activities such as theft, fraud, and drug trafficking due to the flow of money and the nature of the clientele.
DISPLACEMENT: Rising property values around the casino will lead to gentrification, pushing out low-income residents.
ADDICTION: Low-income individuals are particularly vulnerable to gambling addiction, which will lead to a range of social issues like family breakdown, increased debt, and mental health problems.
CRIME: The presence of a casino will encourage criminal activities such as theft, fraud, and drug trafficking due to the flow of money and the nature of the clientele.
DISPLACEMENT: Rising property values around the casino will lead to gentrification, pushing out low-income residents.
EXPLOITATION: Casinos in low-income areas are viewed as exploiting economically vulnerable populations, who see gambling as a potential way out of poverty, but who are most likely to suffer the negative consequences.
COMMUNITY CHARACTER: The arrival of a casino could change the social fabric and character of a community, potentially leading to conflicts over cultural and community values.
ACCESSIBILITY: Increased accessibility to gambling activities can lead to quicker and more severe onset of gambling-related problems among residents.
As you consider your stance on the proposed casino in Southside Richmond, it’s crucial to hear directly from the people who live and work in various parts of the city. Our video series from the last referendum in 2021 features diverse Richmond residents explaining why they’re voting ‘No’ to the casino that are still true today.
Please reach out with any questions you may have about our campaign to stop this casino from being built in Richmond.
