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November 24, 2020 <br /> <br /> <br /> On November 3, 2020, the citizens of Portsmouth overwhelmingly approved a <br /> <br />referendum authorizing the development of a casino gaming establishment within the city. <br /> <br /> To authorize licensed casino gaming and sports betting in Portsmouth in <br />accordance with the action of the Virginia General Assembly and the result of the <br /> <br />referendum, it is necessary to amend Article IV of Chapter 24 of the City Code. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br />The ordinance prepared for Council consideration would amend the City Code to <br /> <br />ensure that casino gaming at a casino gaming establishment licensed by the <br /> <br />Commonwealth is not illegal. <br /> <br />The ordinance would further amend the City Code to ensure that sports betting <br /> <br /> <br />through a sports betting platform licensed by the Commonwealth is not illegal. <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br /> <br /> N/A. <br /> <br />Recommended Action: <br /> <br /> Adoption of the ordinance. <br /> <br /> <br />Next Steps Following Council Action: <br /> <br /> The amendment will be submitted to Municode for insertion into the published City <br /> <br />Code. <br /> <br />Motion by Ms. Psimas, and seconded by Mr. Battle, to adopt the following <br />ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: <br /> <br />“ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND REORDAIN ARTICLE IV OF CHAPTER 24 OF THE <br />CODE OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA (GAMBLING) BY AMENDING <br />SECTION 24-131 (DEFINITIONS) AND ADDING NEW SECTIONS 24-140 AND 24-141 <br />FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZING THE ACTIVITIES OF LICENSED CASINO <br />GAMING ESTABLISHMENTS AND LICENSED SPORTS BETTING PLATFORMS.” <br /> <br />Ayes: Battle, Clark, Glover, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Rowe <br />Nays: None <br /> <br />20 - 300 - Adoption of a resolution certifying Rush Street Gaming LLC and its <br />affiliate Portsmouth Gaming Holdings, LLC as the Preferred Casino Gaming <br />Operator for the City of Portsmouth. <br /> <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br /> By Ordinance 2020-47 adopted on May 26, 2020 City Council selected Rush Street <br />Gaming LLC and its affiliate Portsmouth Gaming Holdings, LLC (collectively, “Rush <br />Street”) as its “preferred casino gaming operator” under the requirements of the Code of <br /> <br />Virginia. <br /> <br /> The City submitted the selection to the Virginia Lottery Department and received <br /> <br />preliminary approval. <br /> <br /> On November 3, 2020, the citizens of Portsmouth approved a referendum <br /> <br />authorizing the development of a casino gaming establishment within the city. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br /> Under Subsection 58.1-4109(A) of the Virginia Code, the City is now required to <br />again certify Rush Street as its preferred casino gaming operator, and to submit the <br />certification to the Virginia Lottery Department. <br /> <br /> <br /> This is the first step in allowing Rush Street to apply to Lottery for a permanent <br />casino gaming establishment license. <br /> <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br /> <br /> The development of a casino gaming establishment and accompanying <br />entertainment district will have a major positive financial impact for the City. <br /> <br />Recommended Action: <br /> <br /> Adoption of the resolution. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />