Petersburg, Virginia, is marking a transformative milestone with the official groundbreaking of the $1.4 billion Stay! On line casino Resort and Lodge. The venture, which guarantees to deliver substantial financial progress and job alternatives, is a results of persistent efforts by the town’s residents, builders, and native officers. The ceremony, which came about on March 19, 2025, signifies the graduation of a enterprise that has been within the making for years.
The groundbreaking marks the start of an enormous, multi-phased development effort set to unfold over the following a number of years. The on line casino resort will span 92 acres close to the intersection of Wagner Street and Interstate 95. This strategic location, simply accessible from Richmond, is anticipated to drive tourism and financial exercise within the area. The venture is being co-developed by Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Firms, with assist from metropolis officers and state representatives.
Senator Lashrecse Aird (D-Petersburg) described the occasion as a pivotal second within the metropolis’s historical past. “There are moments in time the place that one singular occasion will change the trajectories of a group, and right this moment’s venture is a kind of initiatives, unquestionably,” Aird acknowledged in keeping with a press launch, emphasizing the importance of this enterprise for Petersburg’s future.
Financial Affect and Job Creation
As soon as accomplished, the Stay! On line casino Resort will create an estimated $2.8 billion in financial advantages for Central Virginia, together with roughly $504 million in tax income. Of that, $240 million will instantly profit the town of Petersburg, as reported by WWBT. The venture can also be anticipated to create round 7,500 jobs, together with 6,100 throughout development and 1,400 everlasting positions as soon as the resort opens. Native residents will obtain hiring precedence, making certain the group is among the many first to profit from the brand new employment alternatives.
The event will function over 450,000 sq. toes of gaming, resort, and eating area, complemented by 75,000 sq. toes of assembly and conference areas. As well as, the resort will boast a 200-room resort with 20 luxurious suites, a resort pool, a health heart, and a wide selection of eating and leisure choices. Greater than 1,600 slot machines, 65 live-action desk video games, and a high-limit gaming space will even be a part of the resort, which can function a world-class vacation spot for each vacationers and locals alike.
A Short-term Facility and Group Assist
Whereas the complete resort is scheduled for completion in 2027, the town won’t have to attend that lengthy to expertise the financial advantages of the venture. A short lived gaming facility is about to open by the top of 2025. This interim location, much like the one beforehand utilized in Danville, will function 75,000 sq. toes of gaming area with 900 slot machines and 33 desk video games. This facility will instantly create roughly 500 jobs and begin producing income for the town and native companies.
Because the venture progresses, builders have dedicated to enhancing public providers and infrastructure within the metropolis. Petersburg Mayor Sam Parham highlighted the significance of the monetary contributions from Cordish Gaming, which can assist fund enhancements resembling new fireplace vehicles, a fleet of police automobiles, and an elementary faculty.
A Shiny Future for Petersburg
Petersburg residents overwhelmingly supported the on line casino venture in a November 2024 referendum, with greater than 80% of voters in favor of bringing the on line casino to the town. This sturdy backing displays the group’s eagerness for the alternatives that the venture will deliver. The town’s historical past, as soon as ignored by vacationers, is poised for a significant transformation.
As Bruce Smith, founding father of Bruce Smith Enterprise and a driving pressure behind the venture, declared, “Not will individuals drive previous Petersburg; as an alternative, they are going to make plans to drive to Petersburg.”
The groundbreaking occasion, attended by metropolis officers, enterprise leaders, and group members, marks the start of what guarantees to be a brand new period for the town of Petersburg. With the event of the Stay! On line casino Resort and Lodge, Petersburg is about to emerge as a vibrant hub of tourism, leisure, and financial progress in Central Virginia.
