In the middle of the last century Colonial Beach was the Mecca of gambling in the Commowealth of Virginia.
Full blown casinos perched legally over the waters of the Potomac; technically in the state of Maryland.
Slot machines and other games of chance brought throngs to our little town. Food and drink and big-named entertainment also joined the mix as high-rollers would hop on champagne flights and land on nearby airfields.
The 1950’s were big times as Guy Lombardo, Kate Smith and Patsy Cline would take to our local venues. But there was also a down-side as most of the tax money would float across the river to Maryland and Virginia was left to deal with those players headed home with empty pockets, drained bank accounts and serious gambling problems.
But storms and fire, and a change in Maryland law, brought it all to a close as that decade ended.
Colonial Beach was left with a lot of good memories and a great deal of economic collateral damage.
But in the late 1980’s the state started to legalize the state-wide lottery. Bingo halls in firehouses continued to chug along.
The Riverboat On The Potomac, still perched above the Potomac, offered off-track betting and keno.
Last year Virginia seemed to open the flood gates of gambling allowing all sorts of wagers on all sorts of things.
Television sets, the airwaves and the internet are full of ads offering all $100 or $200 if one only places just a $5 bet.
And now, just this week, the Virginia Lottery has just issued a full-time permanent casino license to a venture in Portsmouth.
Four other cities around the state are vying for a similar license. They include Norfolk, Bristol, Danville and Richmond.
What will this new gaming development bring to Colonial Beach?
Will the town see an increase in gambling related tourism due to the increased state-wide buzz? Or will it see a drop-off, as other local jurisdictions grab a piece of the winnings and all that comes with it?
Only time will tell….