Gamesys Potential New Owner Wins Again

Bally’s the US casino operator that has had a £2 billion offer for online gambling company Gamesys accepted yesterday has had another piece of good news after being accepted to move forward to the final stages of a new casino development in Richmond Virginia.

The casino operator was one of three operators picked to go forward to the final stage of the process by the selection committee in Richmond. It is now down to Bally’s Richmond Casino Resort, Live! Casino & Hotel Richmond, and One Casino + Resort on who may win the license after Golden Nugget, Wind Creek Hospitality, and Pamunkey Indian Tribe & Reservation all failed to progress with the committee said they failed in convincing the panel of their suitability in the lack of site control, along with concerns about the feasibility of their financial projections and a lack of organisational experience.

On the announcement Bally’s George Papanier, President and Chief Executive Officer said, “We are excited and honored to have been selected as a finalist and have the continued opportunity to partner with the City of Richmond, its residents and businesses on this campaign. The Bally’s Richmond is truly a Richmond-first project, dedicated to supporting local businesses and minority organizations by driving job creation and developing sustained economic opportunities. We are confident that our proposal will provide incomparable economic benefits to the greater Richmond community, and we look forward to continuing our dialogue to prove to the City and its various stakeholders that Bally’s is for RVA.”

The Bally’s Richmond will be strategically situated on a 61-acre parcel located at the intersection of the Powhite and Chippenham Parkways. Bally’s is currently working with its civil and traffic engineers, who have been conducting various surveys and assessments, to ensure multiple access routes into and out of the property that are not only convenient for patrons, but also efficiently direct traffic away from local major roadways. Bally’s is also committed to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the site, including the natural, wooded surrounding and wetlands, which it intends to seamlessly integrate into its overall design.

Papanier continued, “We are committed to the local RVA community that will serve as the host for our project, and look forward to working with community leaders and residents to address any concerns they may have.”

A final decision on the winning bid will be made in the middle of May this year and will still most likely have to go to a public referendum to clear the final hurdle in November 2021.