With the November seventh poll and, respectively, either side within the extremely contended on line casino referendum in Richmond are doing their finest to spice up the funding of their last-minute campaigns.
In keeping with reviews, the builders of the proposed $562-million Richmond Grand Resort and On line casino challenge, City One and Churchill Downs Inc., have made an extra contribution of $1 million, in a bid to win the referendum, bringing their whole funding to virtually $10 million. Thus far, the 2 corporations have already invested $8.1 million to rent political strategists, promote their challenge and make different “get-out-the-vote” efforts, together with providing free lunches and paying for voters’ transportation to polling areas. In addition they organized a free live performance that includes The Isley Brothers on the Hickory Hill Group Heart.
Knowledge offered by Virginia Public Entry Challenge reveals that City One made an extra contribution of $168,714, whereas Churchill Downs offered an additional $899,269 of their newest effort to get native voters’ assist and emerge victorious from the upcoming on line casino referendum.
Challenge spokesperson Michael Kelly shared that the additional funding will probably be used to proceed the teams’ efforts to carry talks with Richmond residents and inform them extra concerning the alternative to create 1,300 new jobs and generate recent income value thousands and thousands of {dollars} that might be invested to increase entry to childcare and different group tasks.
In keeping with preliminary estimates offered by the builders, Richmond Grand Resorts and On line casino is ready to generate an annual playing tax income of $30 million. As revealed by metropolis officers, an preliminary funding of $26 million is ready to be redirected to childcare and training tasks.
Opponents of the Richmond On line casino Challenge Say It Would Solely Convey Extra Issues for Native Communities
On the identical time, the opponents of the Richmond on line casino challenge are additionally enhancing their efforts.
Virginia Public Entry Challenge reported that the political motion committee No Means No On line casino, which is operated by political analyst Paul Goldman, has boosted its preliminary $150,000 marketing campaign to $336,025. In keeping with the political motion committee (PAC), which is the most important opposition group to the on line casino, the builders would goal weak clients within the area.
The Household Basis has additionally joined within the battle towards the challenge, making an general funding value $131,508. The group, which is a conservative Christian group, has harshly criticized the challenge by way of its anti-casino political motion committee – the Richmond Anti-Corruption League. Thus far, it has used marketing campaign funds to advertise two TV adverts towards the proposed on line casino challenge, together with some adverts on numerous digital channels. That was confirmed by the Basis’s spokesperson, Victoria Cobb.
In 2020, native voters turned down plans for the institution of the proposed on line casino by a 51% to 49% vote. A lot of the votes got here for the town’s South Facet which is meant to host the venue, if constructed. Other than the on line casino, the venue may also function a 250-room lodge, a 3,000-seat live performance venue, and a 55-acre outside park.
Reportedly, either side are utilizing funds to persuade extra individuals to go to the polls and assist their initiatives. Polls are set to open at 6:00 AM on November seventh.
Getting as many individuals to the polls has been a precedence to each the supporters and the opponents of the challenge, particularly as a result of early voting was put on the forefront of each campaigns.
