Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

groundcontrol3 t1_j69d1w5 wrote

The real question is why are you so against a casino in either Richmond or Petersburg? It's free money for either city and gives residents a legit way to gamble which is sorely lacking without having to travel up to Maryland. Is it some weird puritanical mindset you have or is it that you know better how people should and shouldn't spend their money?

−13

SwanOverSunshine OP t1_j69e5vx wrote

It’s trashy and hurts the poor the most. The gambling market is over saturated at this point, so all of their big economic and job projections are WAY overstated. It will just cannibalize entertainment dollars from other places, so who knows if it will actually bring that much extra city money? I also object to some random people from Maryland trying to change our city in such a big way - they have no roots here. Richmond is awesome because of our local, homegrown vibe. I also really hate that the casino people have bought the city council and mayor. It was really amazing that we were able to vote this down in the face of all that money spent by the casino to force their agenda down our throats. I also really don’t like that the casino people turned it into a racial issue (when it wasn’t going their way). Very divisive. A lot of the black community was against it too - they didn’t need to make it racial, but they did because they’re sleazy.

22

SwanOverSunshine OP t1_j69echc wrote

I also don’t have an opinion on what happens in Petersburg. That’s for them to decide, and I don’t have a good grasp on Petersburg’s needs.

10

unarj t1_j69ehhi wrote

guess that 2mil they spent on trying to push this shit through worked on some folks. "free money" what a joke.

4

groundcontrol3 t1_j69ggev wrote

In what way is tax money for the city with 0 expenses from the city not free money?

2

unarj t1_j69gwhg wrote

the only purpose of an establishment like a casino is to hoover up money, not dole it out. if it's such an obvious payout why did they have to buy their way to the table?

going by your logic any business is free money for the city.

11

dalhectar t1_j6aix2s wrote

Well, if you're not familiar- most businesses don't have to pay exorbitant licenses to operate. Casinos are alone in that category. Casinos are also taxed at a much higher rate than every other business. If other businesses had to pay 30% of gross revenue (not profit, revenue) to the state/locality, they would never open.

Meanwhile some businesses like Stone Brewery or say the Redskins, the City has to pay them to come here.

End of the day the City voted no, narrowly but still no. And now Petersburg can decide if it wants a predatory business that pays high taxes.

4

unarj t1_j6aojje wrote

> End of the day the City voted no, narrowly but still no.

and yet here we are still talking about and it's still alive in legislature. agreed that Petersburg should do whatever is best for them regardless.

all of those licensing fees go to the state, don't they? Richmond would benefit only marginally. predatory business gobbling millions throwing back a pittance sounds like a great bargain.

1

dalhectar t1_j6aunh8 wrote

No. According to § 58.1-4124 a casino pays 18%-30% gross revenue to the state, which the state then gives 6%-8% gross revenue to the host locality (33%-26% of the collected tax).

A typical restaurant which pays 0.36% gross for it's business license. Casinos pay localities 16%-22x more than other businesses like restaurants.

So not a pittance.

Richmond's not getting it. Getting that 8% is why Petersburg officials want it.

2

unarj t1_j6dveqm wrote

good info, thanks. balanced against what it takes away from the local economy I would still consider it a loss. hopefully we can put this all to bed soon and maybe focus on things that actually help Richmonders (Richmonites? Richmonians?).

1