Latest News
Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies Partner on Proposal to Codevelop $1.4B Transformative Mixed-use Development in Petersburg, Virginia
Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies have responded to a request for proposal issued by the City of Petersburg, Virginia with plans to codevelop a $1.4 billion Live! Gaming & Entertainment District, anchored by Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia. The proposed project will generate billions of dollars in economic benefits and spinoff development, create thousands of new jobs and benefits to the local community, and become a major new tourist destination for the City and the Central Virginia region.
The proposed 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, making it the premier location in the Commonwealth. The partners also intend to quickly open an initial first phase casino within a year to begin creating jobs, vendor opportunities and economic benefits immediately for the City of Petersburg and its residents.
Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies’ longstanding relationship dates back to 2008, and most recently the team has partnered to bring a world-class casino resort destination to the Commonwealth. The joint venture partnership is the first-of-its-kind in the gaming and entertainment industry to have a minority-owned business enterprise as co-development partner.
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. The team includes substantial investment from prominent minority businesses and individuals with a long history of residing, working, and investing in the Commonwealth including former Cox Communications GM and philanthropist Gary McCollum, former Philadelphia Eagle and University of Virginia All-American receiver Billy McMullen, and the Reynolds Family, founding family of Reynolds Metals.
Bruce Smith Enterprise, led by legendary NFL 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. 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.
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.
“I love Virginia. I was born and raised here. I attended VA Tech as a student athlete here, and after retiring from the NFL, I returned home with the inspiration and determination to help make it a more advantageous and prosperous place to live,” said Bruce Smith, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Prominent Virginian Developer and Community Leader.
“I have spent significant time in Petersburg talking with students and the community at large. I’ve had the opportunity to hear first-hand their stories of hardship, and I understand the struggle and the enormous challenges they face. Working as a developer in the state for over 20 years, I’m confident that Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies are the right partners for this undertaking, because we share the same vision and understand the needs of the City of Petersburg and its citizens. Together we can do remarkable work in Petersburg that will transform lives, restore hope, and ultimately imbue a new energy of revitalization that will be felt for generations. Our proposal represents a historic opportunity to prioritize the Petersburg community and put Virginians first,” Bruce Smith added.
“We are incredibly proud to join Bruce Smith and his team to present our vision for a transformational, world-class destination in Petersburg. As our development partner, Bruce shares our core values in investing for the long-term and creating jobs and opportunities for the community. No one comes close to our combined history of success and capabilities to be able to deliver a destination of this scale and complexity. The Cordish Companies’ track record for designing, financing, building, and operating large-scale mixed-use developments and casino resort destinations in the country is unmatched. Our success includes achieving every commitment, program, and goal in our proposals for cities across the country. We are committed to excellence, creating unforgettable experiences for our guests, and treating our team members and communities like family,” Zed Smith, Chief Operating Officer for The Cordish Companies, said.
Caesars Entertainment Inc. announced it will bring Caesars Sportsbook self-service kiosks to 53 small businesses across Washington, D.C. Caesars Sportsbook wagering kiosks will replace the GambetDC sports wagering kiosks currently in place at OLG-licensed sports betting retail locations. In addition to wagering, the kiosks will accept cash deposits to Caesars Sportsbook mobile accounts.
“We appreciate the Office of Lottery and Gaming for providing us the opportunity to further our connection with sports fans in our nation’s capital. Our self-service betting kiosks are an excellent addition to our sports wagering options in D.C. Whether sports fans prefer a traditional ticket-in-hand wagering experience or want to simply deposit cash for their mobile app account, our kiosks enhance the premier sports betting experience we offer through the combination of options and convenience that supports dozens of small businesses locally,” said Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital.
“D.C. residents and visitors will soon have access to best-in-class sports wagering kiosks at retail locations across the city. We are pleased to partner with Caesars, a key industry player and the leader in retail sport betting operations, which is demonstrating its commitment to the D.C. community,” said Eugene Vlasenko, Interim Executive Director of OLG.
With thousands of markets and lightning-fast functionality, Caesars Sportsbook betting kiosks will provide the gold-standard sports wagering experience sports fans are familiar with on the Caesars Sportsbook mobile app.
Every wager placed with Caesars Sportsbook, whether at a kiosk, in-person Caesars Sportsbook at Capital One Arena, or on the mobile app, earns Reward Credits redeemable for unforgettable experiences made possible through the industry-leading loyalty program, Caesars Rewards. Sports fans 21 and older can download the Caesars Sportsbook app on iOS and Android or access it via desktop.
In July 2024, Caesars expanded its flagship mobile sports wagering platform, Caesars Sportsbook, across Washington, D.C., except for in restricted areas. Caesars has offered in-person sports betting at Capital One Arena since 2021 through its landmark partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE). Caesars Sportsbook at Capital One Arena made history as the first sportsbook in a U.S. professional sports venue.
Caesars Entertainment remains committed to promoting Responsible Gaming awareness and education as Caesars Sportsbook expands into more jurisdictions. In 2023, the Company implemented a refreshed 21+ policy, which certifies that all Caesars Rewards accounts are only made available to individuals 21 and older, and, where allowed by law, limits all domestic gaming, pari-mutuel, sports, and iGaming options to those 21 and older. This 21 and older policy applies to all sports wagering operations conducted by Caesars Sportsbook in Washington, D.C., including on the Caesars Sportsbook app and at all in-person sports betting locations.
Caesars Sportsbook self-service betting kiosks throughout Washington, D.C. will enforce Caesars Entertainment’s enhanced 21 and older gaming policy. This policy applies to all in-person and online operations conducted by the Company and underscores Caesars’ commitment to Responsible Gaming and its established reputation as a leader in the industry.
NOVOMATIC Colombia participated at GAT Expo Bogotá, a prestigious networking event that was hosted at the Hotel Sheraton Bogotá on September 6, 2024. NOVOMATIC Colombia was poised to unveil its latest Linked Progressive Jackpots and multi-game libraries, specifically designed for the LATAM market. Visitors to the NOVOMATIC Lounge enjoyed an exclusive space that offers a unique entertainment experience. Guests also had the chance to interact with NOVOMATIC experts, explore new product offerings and see the most recent releases up close. NOVOMATIC presented an exciting range of special promotions, making their booth a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the latest advancements in gaming technology.
Launch of the GOLDEN LINK saga
The event marked the highly anticipated launch of the GOLDEN LINK saga, which includes a thrilling array of games and the chance to win big. This line of Linked Progressive Jackpot solutions features the new Superia CASH CONNECTION Volume 2 with the BLACK EDITION II 3.27 cabinet, and the NOVO LINE GOLDEN LINK Edition 1 with the MASTER SL 3.32 cabinet, offering a highly engaging visual experience for gaming venues.
New jackpot and multi-game solutions
Attendees also had the opportunity to explore the latest addition to the CASH CONNECTION series lineup: the NOVO LINE CASH CONNECTION Edition 4 with the PANTHERA 2.27 cabinet, a combination that promises to captivate audiences in the region with advanced graphics and proven gameplay mechanics. The IMPERA LINK Series 2 with the BLACK EDITION II 3.27 cabinet was also on display, combining cutting-edge technology with a sleek, premium design.
For fans of multi-game libraries, NOVOMATIC exhibited the NOVO LINE in the classic FUNMASTER 2.27 cabinet, catering to a wide range of player preferences.
“NOVOMATIC’s Linked Progressive Jackpots have shown exceptional performance in gaming venues across Colombia and Central America, surpassing the average performance by 30% in all cases. Over the past year, NOVOMATIC has installed more than 100 jackpots across the region, highlighting the popularity and success of our solutions,” said Manuel Del Sol, CEO of NOVOMATIC Gaming Colombia.
Closer to the customer
“We are excited that we showcased our outstanding line of Linked Progressive Jackpots at GAT Expo Bogotá, which have been met with great enthusiasm throughout the region. The NOVOMATIC Lounge offered a fantastic opportunity to strengthen relationships with our customers in a more personal and dynamic setting, and our special promotions ensured that all attendees experienced the very best that NOVOMATIC has to offer,” said Mónica Serrato, Commercial Coordinator at NOVOMATIC Gaming Colombia.
Canada
Great Canadian Entertainment and Petroglyph Development Group Announce Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Elements Casino Victoria
Great Canadian Entertainment announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell Elements Casino Victoria to Petroglyph Development Group Ltd. (PDG) in yet another historic transaction for both parties.
This transaction comes on the heels of the previously announced definitive agreement for Great Canadian Entertainment to sell its other landmark property and business on Vancouver Island, Casino Nanaimo, to PDG. PDG is a wholly owned corporation of the Snuneymuxw First Nation (the Nation) and is dedicated to realizing the economic potential of the Nation.
Great Canadian’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the transaction, which remains subject to customary closing conditions as well as customary approvals by the regulatory authorities. The Company will provide transition services to PDG for up to two years post-closing.
“We are very pleased to have executed this second historic agreement with the Snuneymuxw First Nation. From its original opening as View Royal Casino in 2001, to major expansion and rebranding of the property in 2018 as Elements Casino Victoria, we are looking forward to the next chapter for this beautiful and historic Vancouver Island destination under PDG’s stewardship. We are excited to work with the Petroglyph team during the transition period to ensure yet another outstanding outcome for the community, our guests, our team members, and the Nation,” said Matt Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer of Great Canadian Entertainment.
“We celebrate our growing partnership with Great Canadian and our continued progress toward building a strong Snuneymuxw economy that provides a solid foundation for Snuneymuxw self-determination and nationhood. With the acquisition of a second casino operation, we continue to honour the decades of work by past Snuneymuxw leadership who tirelessly pursued this goal, as we begin to realize various opportunities that contribute to optimizing Snuneymuxw socioeconomic potential. Our Nation is sharply focused to make investments that bring returns to our people and builds our presence in the economy so that Snuneymuxw takes its rightful place. Today, we also celebrate our partnership with the B.C. Lottery Corporation in our shared pursuit to support the growth of the provincial economy and First Nation participation,” said Snuneymuxw Chief Mike Wyse.
Erralyn Joseph, President of PDG, said: “This measured acquisition is one that PDG celebrates on our quest to build a corporate enterprise that reinvests into Snuneymuxw First Nation. With a strong operating plan that includes risk mitigation and yields sizable gains, PDG is well on its way to generating wealth for Snuneymuxw and taking a seat at the local, regional, provincial, national and global economic tables. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are pleased to share this news and remain committed to advancing the region’s economic growth in support of all its residents.”
Ian Simpson, Chief Executive Officer of PDG, said: “Acquiring this significant asset will unlock unprecedented economic potential for Snuneymuxw and PDG, paving the way for transformative growth in Snuneymuxw’s economy and the profits that PDG returns to our Nation.”
McMillan is serving as legal counsel to Great Canadian. McCarthy Tétrault is acting as legal counsel and KPMG Corporate Finance Inc. is acting as financial advisor to PDG.
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