• Hampton Roads Casino Night

• — Hampton would be a hot spot for casino gaming in Hampton Roads. That's according to a group of consultants that conducted a market analysis on the potential revenue impacts if a.
• After the state conducted an economic impact study, Hampton came back with its own showing three casinos could be lucrative in Hampton Roads. So far five cities - Richmond, Danville, Bristol, Norfolk and Portsmouth - have been approved to host casinos.
• A casino only in Hampton, on the Peninsula A Hampton casino, plus Portsmouth In each scenario, they found the gaming facility would bring major dollars to the 757.

The general consensus is that two casinos that close together in Hampton Roads would cannibalize each other's customers. And each still has plenty of hoops to jump through.

Some good news if you like to bet money on roulette: casino gambling in Virginia is one step closer to reality.

A Senate committee passed legislation to allow five cities in the state to hold referenda on casinos, including Bristol, Danville, Richmond, Norfolk, and Portsmouth.

There's still more to happen in Richmond before the bill becomes a law, but supporters say it's likely the General Assembly will pass the legislation.

RELATED: Virginia lawmakers advance plan to legalize casinos

Advocates say a casino would create jobs and boost local economies.

'Everyone else is getting casinos, everywhere else. Why we can't have one down this way?' Portsmouth resident Antwon Vreen asked. 'It will keep everything in the neighborhood, keep all the people born and raised in Portsmouth. Louise Lucas, she's the senator and whatever she says goes. I believe it's good and I want it to come.'

Senator Louise Lucas, a longtime supporter of casino gambling, introduced the bill.

Lucas' daughter, Portsmouth Vice Mayor Lisa Lucas Burke, noted the city already has plans for the casino. It will be built as part of a larger entertainment district with restaurants, shopping, and maybe a movie theater.

'This is going to mean more revenue, more opportunity, more reason to live in Portsmouth. This is something we have been striving for, for my entire time on the city council,' Lucas Burke said.

She added, she's not worried about the competition from a potential casino in Norfolk.

'When they go to casinos - Ocean Downs [in Maryland] and Dover Downs [in Delaware] - people will visit one on one day, and then they visit the other on the way home,' she said. 'So having two localities just brings in more revenue for everybody.'

The Pamunkey Tribe already signed on to run a casino near Norfolk's Harbor Park.

'It's good for the area,' Norfolk resident Curtis Weaver said. 'You can sit in there and relax and have a good time... it's a good thing. It's not bad at all.'

There are renderings for the project, but developers are awaiting confirmation from the state before taking the next steps.

Pamunkey spokesperson Jay Smith noted the tribe is optimistic about the future.

'Both the House and the Senate subcommittees have made an indication that casino and gaming are coming to Virginia, so we are optimistic that this legislation will keep moving forward,' he said. 'This is a destination resort and casino so we anticipate millions of visitors coming to this location not only to enjoy the resort and casino but also the other amenities and attractions that the Norfolk area has to offer.'

It hasn't been an easy road in Norfolk. A petition against the proposal gathered enough signatures, prompting City Council to schedule more public meetings about the casino.

RELATED: After decades of resistance, could Virginia be the next state to welcome gambling?

RELATED: Norfolk casino fight drags on

HAMPTON, Va. - Could Hampton Roads support casinos in three local cities?

A new study says yes.

A consulting firm, The Innovation Group, spearheaded the study and presented their findings before the Hampton City Council on Wednesday.

Hampton is just the latest city to consider building a casino. The study found that gaming would bring revenue and profitability to the city.

The group also looked at three different scenarios:

1. A casino only in Hampton, on the Peninsula
2. A Hampton casino, plus Portsmouth
3. A Hampton casino, plus Portsmouth and Norfolk

In each scenario, they found the gaming facility would bring major dollars to the 757.

President of The Innovation Group Michael Soll said, 'In Hampton, the opportunity - particularly at a site like the Coliseum site or a site that already has existing infrastructure and other amenities - it adds to the viability; it adds to the economic impact.'

Soll said the area can handle no more than three casinos, but two would be ideal.

This is all based on if the General Assembly legalizes gaming.

Hampton Roads Casino Night

The Innovation Group also did much of the economic modeling for the JLARC state report.