Published on: December 16, 2025, at 04:13 AM.
Updated on: December 16, 2025, at 04:13 AM.
- Roanoke residents express their concerns over a proposed casino
- Majority of city council members are in favor of pursuing casino discussions
The Roanoke City Council believes that establishing a casino could lead to job creation and generate tax income, which could support the Berglund Center’s anticipated $25 million maintenance and upgrade plans over the next decade. However, many citizens are voicing their objections to this perspective.
During the final city council meeting of the year on Monday night, numerous residents voiced their concerns regarding the potential casino.
Earlier this month, the Roanoke City Council debated the possibility of requesting the Virginia state legislature to allow discussions on a gaming development in their legislative agenda. However, with no state representatives from Roanoke willing to champion the initiative, the city council and Mayor Joe Cobb decided to explore an alternate approach.
Cobb stated that a majority of council members “support proceeding” with casino discussions.
Broad Public Discontent
At least two council members in Roanoke are against the casino initiative. Vice Mayor Terry McGuire has distanced himself from Cobb, and Councilor Nicolas Hagen has also publicly opposed the casino plan.
Cobb, a former pastor and current chaplain, asserted that a casino could create around 900 jobs with initial salaries exceeding $50,000.
“The possibilities for lodging, a hotel, and high-paying jobs exist here in Roanoke,” Cobb remarked. “If anyone opposes a casino, what alternatives do they believe are viable?”
On Monday, the public primarily expressed disapproval. Residents suggested the city should explore alternative economic drivers rather than focusing on one that could exploit addiction issues.
“Casino gambling in communities nationwide has been linked to heightened addiction rates, family disintegration, financial issues, crime, and increased demand on local governmental services. Evidence from various municipalities indicates that anticipated casino revenues often fall short as consumer spending shifts away from local businesses, with profits leaving the community,” stated Roanoke resident Bryan Smith.
Critics argue that casinos predominantly benefit their owners rather than the communities where they operate.
State Regulatory Framework
Roanoke cannot approve a casino unless the Virginia General Assembly designates the city for slot machines, table games, and sports betting.
Currently, casinos in Virginia are limited to Norfolk, Portsmouth, Bristol, Danville, and Petersburg. Churchill Downs operates slot-like historical horse racing (HHR) machines in New Kent, Vinton, Richmond, Hampton, Collinsville, Emporia, Henrico, and Dumfries.
Cobb mentioned that the city has already partnered with a casino developer. Casino.org speculates the developer to be The Cordish Companies, a prominent gaming and hospitality firm from Baltimore that’s currently establishing a casino project in Petersburg. Cordish operates casinos in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana under the Live! brand.
Roanoke is not the sole city in Virginia pondering casino development. Officials in Winchester are also investigating the possibility of pursuing slot and table game permits. There’s also state-level discussion regarding a potential casino in Northern Virginia, particularly in Fairfax County, which could generate significant tax revenue for the state, possibly exceeding the combined total of all five existing casinos.