Bally’s misses out as City of Richmond cuts casino resort shortlist to two
Last month, Bally’s Richmond Casino Resort was named alongside Live! Casino & Hotel Richmond from the Cordish Companies and One Casino + Resort from Maryland-based media business Urban One as the three proposals that the City of Richmond was considering to run the casino.
However, after the City Council’s Evaluation Panel held negotiations with the three finalists, it reduced its shortlist of potential operators, with Bally’s missing out on the final cut, leaving only Live! and One Casino + Resort.
The Panel has set a target of recommending an approved operator and site to the Council in mid-to-late May. Should the recommended operator be selected by City Council, residents will vote on its proposal in a referendum.
“We appreciate Bally’s interest to develop a resort casino project in Richmond,” director of Richmond’s Department of Economic Development, Leonard Sledge, said. “The Evaluation Panel is no longer considering the Bally’s project or the Parkway Crossings site for a resort casino due to concerns about site access, environmental factors, and required approvals from non-city entities that may not be granted or extend the project timeline.