“Some people have restricted that ability to be a yes-or-no vote for a casino,” Harris said. “I think it’s so much wider than that.”
Several public speakers campaigned against the project, saying that casinos are predatory and will do more harm than good.
Critics included representatives of progressive activist groups and former political candidates who witnessed a burgeoning no campaign for the upcoming referendum.
“Bringing a casino to Richmond is another economic development scam that is pulling wealth out of communities that can least support it,” said Quinton Robbins, operations manager of the progressive advocacy group Richmond for All. “Casinos are a tax for the poor. It is therefore shameful to call this project economic justice. “
The city is pursuing the project under a new state law that will allow Richmond to allow a casino if voters approve.
The law also allowed Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Bristol to allow casinos. Voters in each city approved casino development plans in their respective communities last fall.
Richmond received six casino proposals in February, two months after the city launched a bid for the project.
Some councilors said they were initially reluctant to allow a casino in the city and noted public opposition to the proposed locations on Arthur Ashe Boulevard and the corridors of Forest Hill Avenue.