Frequently Asked Questions

Election day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

Yes, early voting will take place between Friday, Sept. 20 – Saturday, Nov. 2. You can apply to vote absentee by mail by visiting vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation.

You can register online at vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation or by visiting the Petersburg Registration Office located at 229 N Market St., Petersburg, VA 23803. The Registration Office’s phone number is 804-733-8071.

You can find your polling location and other information about voting by visiting vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation.

The November 5th ballot question will read: “Shall casino gaming be permitted at a casino gaming establishment in Petersburg, Virginia located on an approximately 92.5-acre development site located off Interstate-95 at Wagner Road along Brasfield Parkway in the City of Petersburg as may be approved by the Virginia Lottery Board?” and will ask you to cast your vote for casino gaming.

The VOTE YES! Live! Casino Resort campaign office is located at 2 N Sycamore St., Petersburg, VA 23803

We have one dynamic campaign manager, Ja’Scotta Jefferson, who can be reached at:

Ja’Scotta Jefferson
Email: jeffersonj@livechva.com
Cell: 202-446-7178

The VOTE YES! campaign office will be open Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm.

Live! Casino Resort is committed to utilizing and supporting local, regional, minority, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses by providing them access to contract opportunities. Our procurement team will maintain an internal database of diverse contractors and suppliers that will be used for future bid opportunities. Learn more at www.VoteYesPetersburg.com.

Andy Poarch
Email: Andy@AllianceGroupLtd.com
Cell: 804-564-2566

Yes, you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @VoteYesPetersburg.

Visit www.VoteYesPetersburg.com to sign up for our latest announcements and information. 

Live! Casino Resort is a proposed $1.4 billion world-class, mixed-use gaming entertainment resort destination that will set a new standard for development in the commonwealth, create thousands of jobs, increase tourism and generate billions in economic benefits. The project is subject to approval of City of Petersburg residents in a local voter referendum in conjunction with this November’s General Election.

Live! Casino Resort is being codeveloped by Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies.

Bruce Smith Enterprise, led by legendary Pro Football Hall of Fame member and Virginia native Bruce Smith, is a commercial real estate firm that specializes in the development of premier mixed-use projects. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, the company has developed notable properties throughout the state and the Mid-Atlantic region that feature the cohesive and seamless integration of residential, hotel, Class A office, and retail space. Bruce Smith Enterprise has flourished since its inception in 2004, partnering with Armada Hoffler in the development of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, The Swedish Embassy, Harbourside Office Building in Washington, D.C., and Blocks 7 and 10 in The Town Center of Virginia Beach, VA. Bruce Smith Enterprise’s portfolio also includes the Hilton Garden Inn and Smith’s Landing apartment community in Blacksburg, VA – a project built to service the needs of students, alumni, and their families at Smith’s Virginia Tech alma mater – as well as the Hyatt House Hotel and 27 Atlantic Apartments in Virginia Beach.

Since retiring from professional football in 2004 after a prolific 19-year career, the NFL’s All-Time Sack Leader has endeavored to bring the same level of unparalleled excellence, diligence, and leadership that he honed as a veteran on the field to the management of Bruce Smith Enterprise. The successful development of timeless mixed-use properties that survive and withstand trends of the marketplace, strengthen, and invigorate the local economy and create jobs are core values of Bruce Smith Enterprise’s primary mission.  

The Cordish Companies is one of the largest, most respected developer-operators of upscale mixed-use, entertainment and casino resort destinations in the United States. For over a century, The Cordish Companies has built a portfolio of world-class destinations and projects that span across several platforms including casino resorts, restaurants, hotels, sports-anchored entertainment districts, mixed-use developments, concert venues, luxury residential communities, coworking spaces, and more. The Company’s Live! brand has dramatically changed the hospitality and entertainment experience nationwide, surpassing 55 million visitors last year to its destinations, many of which have played a major role in the rebirth of the cities in which they are located. This transformational effect has earned the Company an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence in recognition of its urban revitalization accomplishments, more than any other developer in the world.

In gaming, The Cordish Companies has developed the most successful casino entertainment resorts in the U.S. including the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, FL; the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, FL; Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland; Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia and Live! Casino Pittsburgh. The Company is currently under construction on Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana – the first land-based casino in the Shreveport-Bossier market – scheduled to open in 2025.

The proposed project site is ideally situated at the intersection of Wagner Road and Interstate I-95 with easy access on and off the East Coast’s major north-south interstate.

Upon completion, the world-class resort destination will feature:

• More than 400,000 square feet of first-class gaming, hotel and dining space
• 35,000 square feet of meeting and convention space
• An upscale 200-room hotel featuring 20 suites, resort pool and fitness center
• 1,600 state-of-the-art slot machines
• 46 live action table games, including a 15-table poker room
• High limit slot and table areas and a sportsbook
• A 3,000-seat state-of-the-art entertainment venue for top talent from across Virginia and the greater region, as well as for meetings, conventions and social gatherings
• 8 best-in-class food and entertainment options, including 3 spaces that will be reserved for local Petersburg restauranteurs and businesses
• Free surface parking

Plans for the proposed project include quickly opening an initial first phase casino within a year of all applicable approvals to immediately begin creating jobs, vendor opportunities and economic benefits for the city. The initial phase will feature approximately: 

• 1,000 state-of-the-art slot machines
• 23 live action table games
• A dedicated 15 table poker room
• Casino bar and casual restaurant
• Over 1,500 free guest and team member parking spots

Live! Casino Resort is a once-in-a-lifetime, transformative urban revitalization project for Petersburg and its residents. The proposed project is a $1.4 billion world-class, mixed-use gaming entertainment resort destination that will set a new standard for development in the commonwealth, create thousands of jobs, increase tourism and generate billions in economic benefits. The project is being codeveloped by Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies, a first-of-its-kind development partnership in the gaming & entertainment industry. The Petersburg ownership team, which makes up 50% minority equity participation, will become the largest minority ownership opportunity in the gaming and hospitality industry in the country, and will become a model for other projects in Virginia and throughout the nation. 

Live! Casino Resort will set a new standard for development in the Commonwealth, generating significant economic impact for the City of Petersburg and the surrounding region.

If approved by voters this November, the project will generate the following in its first 10 years:

• $2.8 billion in economic stimulus to the Region
• $504 million in tax revenues including $240 million to the City of Petersburg alone
• $802 million in economic benefits during construction
• $201 million in annual economic benefits each year after opening
• Over 7,500 new construction and permanent jobs

Live! Casino Resort will help fund significant projects in Petersburg such as:

• Education 
• Workforce Development 
• Health & Community Hubs
• Partnerships with Local Colleges for Mentor & Internship Programs
• Street, Water, Sidewalk & Lighting Improvements
• Parks & Recreation Facilities 
• Public Safety Enhancements & Fire Protection 
• Homeownership Programs
• Senior and Youth Programs

Bruce Smith Enterprise and Cordish are also major charitable contributors and participants in the communities in which they operate. They are extremely proud of the significant impact their companies have had on local philanthropic efforts around the country and are committing the same for Petersburg.

Live! Casino Resort will serve as a transformative development, creating maximum community benefits for the City of Petersburg and its residents. Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies have long embraced a strong approach to community integration and involvement. The partners are committed to supporting non-profit organizations in Petersburg, acting as conveners to assist community organizations and non-profits in their fundraising efforts and volunteerism, an endemic value to their cultures. Bruce Smith and The Cordish Companies are consistently named among the largest supporters of non-profits and philanthropic organizations in markets where they do business and recognized as valued community partners. 

Live! Casino Resort will provide substantial benefits to the community including:

• A commitment to diversity and inclusion in all facets of the Project including a comprehensive plan to ensure minority and local participation in ownership, construction, permanent employment and ongoing operational purchasing.
• Construction and vendor opportunities for local, minority, women-owned, and veteran owned businesses.
• Workforce development, training, mentoring, internships, tuition reimbursement and other programs through area community colleges, universities, and vocational schools to support local employment and career advancement.
• Apprenticeships and training programs.
• Marketing partnerships with area sports teams, businesses, and attractions to promote the City of Petersburg and surrounding communities through the nationally recognized, award-winning Live! Rewards customer loyalty program.
• Enhancement of hotel, dining, and entertainment amenities in the region to attract thousands of new visitors to the area.

Live! Casino Resort will purchase tens of millions of dollars in goods and services in the region. As recognized leaders in community outreach with unparalleled track records of supporting local and regional businesses, Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies are committed to ensuring contract opportunities for local, MBE/WBE, and veteran-owned companies. The following are some of the categories of goods and services to be purchased:

• Gaming Operations
• Hotel Operations
• Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
• Engineering, Facilities and Maintenance
• Food and Beverage
• Office and Computer Supplies
• Professional Services

Yes! Live! is an economic engine in communities where its properties are located and places a high priority on hiring local residents. Live! Casino Resort is committed to making the same impact with the creation of 7,500 new jobs including 6,000 construction jobs and 1,500 new living-wage jobs averaging $70,000 in annual compensation with life enhancing benefits and career mobility.

Job opportunities will be available in every field, including hotel operations, finance, marketing, human resources, information technologies, food and beverage, facilities, security and surveillance, and casino operations. Live! will partner with local educational institutions to provide training programs for jobs within the complex, including gaming and hospitality positions. The partnership is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. Local residents will have ample opportunities to learn about jobs at Live! Casino Resort through programs such as:

• Pre-opening community-based job fairs
• Local job placement workshops
• Online job postings, job matching and customized recruitment services
• Contractor mentoring and apprenticeships
• Community-based information sessions on job opportunities and training programs
• Community College and University partnerships for job placement

7,500 new jobs including 6,000 construction jobs and 1,500 new living-wage jobs averaging $70,000 in annual compensation with life enhancing benefits and career mobility.

Learn more at www.VoteYesPetersburg.com.

Yes! Live! Casino Resort will purchase tens of millions of dollars in goods and services in the region. As recognized leaders in community outreach with unparalleled track records of supporting local and regional businesses, Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies are committed to ensuring contract opportunities for local, MBE/WBE, and veteran-owned companies. The following are some of the categories of goods and services to be purchased:

• Gaming Operations
• Hotel Operations
• Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
• Engineering, Facilities and Maintenance
• Food and Beverage
• Office and Computer Supplies
• Professional Services

Learn more at www.VoteYesPetersburg.com.

Live! Casino Resort is being codeveloped by Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies.

Live! Casino Resort will be codeveloped, owned and managed by Petersburg Community Development Investors, LLC, a partnership between affiliates of The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise, LLC.