Rivers Casino Portsmouth: Virginia's First Casino

Grand Opening Jan. 23, 2023

RIVERS CASINO PORTSMOUTH

3630 Victory Blvd
Portsmouth, Virginia 23701
757-840-2278

Rivers Casino Portsmouth is a $340 million casino resort located three miles southwest of downtown Portsmouth, Virginia. The casino opened Jan. 23, 2023 and features 1,448 slot machines, 57 table games, a 24-table poker room, high-limit gaming areas and a BetRivers sportsbook. A 4-star hotel will open at a future date.

Artist rendering of proposed Rivers Casino in Portsmouth, Virginia

Rivers Casino Portsmouth

Rivers Casino Portsmouth is a $340 million casino resort built at I-264 and Victory Blvd next to Tidewater Community College. The 400,000 sq-ft complex features a casino, ten restaurants, a 4-star hotel (future), a 3,000-seat event center, movie theater and retail stores.

Rivers Casino Portsmouth is owned and operated by Rush Street, a Chicago gaming and entertainment company that operates casinos in Illinois, Pennsylvania and New York.

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News Headlines

Rivers Casino Portsmouth | Future Hotel Update February 10, 2025 - Rivers Casino Portsmouth was the first permanent casino in Virginia when it opened on Jan. 23, 2023. Since then, the 4-star hotel planned for the future has been on hold ... Read more Rivers Casino Portsmouth Generates $9M in First Week February 22, 2023 - Rivers Casino Portsmouth opened January 23 and quickly generated $9 million before closing the month. Total January revenues were $9.039,289.78. Slot machines brought in $7.5 million and ... Read more Rivers Casino Portsmouth Revises Smoking Policy February 8, 2023 - Rivers Casino Portsmouth's opening Jan. 23 was immediately followed by public complaints about smoking inside the 90,000-square-foot gaming area. After the first week ... Read more Rivers Casino Portsmouth Celebrates Grand Opening Today! January 23, 2023 - Rivers Casino Portsmouth officially opened its doors to the public this morning at 10am, becoming the first completed, non-temporary casino to open in Virginia! ... Read more Rivers Casino Portsmouth Opening Delayed to Jan. 23 January 13, 2023 - Rivers Casino Portsmouth has delayed its grand opening until January 23. The previous date of January 15 did not allow enough time to complete the testing of the gaming machines. ... Read more Headlines continued...

Rivers Casino Portsmouth Overview

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Renderings released of planned Portsmouth casino - Courtesy of 13News Now, Jul 21, 2020. Available from YouTube

Layout of Rivers Casino Portsmouth

Rivers Casino is built on a 57-acre parcel of land about three miles southwest of downtown Portsmouth. The site is just south of Interstate 264 between Victory Boulevard and McClean Street and adjacent to Tidewater Community College.

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Features of Rivers Casino Portsmouth

Rivers Casino Portsmouth is a 400,000 square-foot casino, hotel and entertainment complex. The hotel will open at a later date.

Gaming

Restaurants

Entertainment

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Future Hotel

Retail Outlets

News Articles

Rivers Casino Portsmouth | Future Hotel Update

February 10, 2025

Rivers Casino Portsmouth was the first permanent casino in Virginia when it opened on Jan. 23, 2023. Since then, the 4-star hotel planned for the future has been on hold. Two years have passed since the completion of the casino, and little has been published about the hotel. Now questions are asked about the construction plan, a timeline, or even if the hotel will ever be built?

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When will Rivers Casino in Portsmouth get hotel? - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Jan 21, 2025. Available from YouTube

Councilman Bill Dodson has confirmed there is still a plan to build the hotel. Dobson was told by the casino general manager, Roy Corby, the hotel project is active and nearly ready to start. Corby said "they are waiting on a meeting with planning to 'go ahead.'"

According to Councilman Dodson, the casino owners, Rush Street Gaming, want the hotel to open before the Norfolk Casino opens in 2027.

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Rivers Casino Portsmouth Generates $9M in First Week

February 22, 2023

Rivers Casino Portsmouth opened January 23 and quickly generated $9 million before closing the month. Total January revenues were $9.039,289.78. Slot machines brought in $7.5 million and table games brought $1.5 million.

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Rivers Casino Portsmouth made over $9M in January
Courtesy of 13News Now, Feb 16 2023. Available from YouTube

These revenue numbers show the first financial impact of casino on the community. The City of Portsmouth will receive a 6% share of the income, which is $542,357 for January. The city expects to receive $16 million from the casino this year.

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Rivers Casino Portsmouth Revises Smoking Policy

February 8, 2023

Rivers Casino Portsmouth's opening Jan. 23 was immediately followed by public complaints about smoking inside the 90,000-square-foot gaming area. After the first week of operation, the smoking policy was changed.

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New Rivers Casino Portsmouth smoking policy
Courtesy of 13News Now, Jan 31 2023. Available from YouTube

"In response to feedback from guests and the community, effective immediately, Rivers Casino Portsmouth has modified our smoking policy. Approximately half of the gaming floor will now be designated as nonsmoking, including both slots and table games."

- Rivers Casino Portsmouth

Under the new smoking policy, the casino has posted non-smoking signs on half of the casino floor. Eighty percent of the entire casino complex is now non-smoking. Cigars, vaping or marijuana are prohibited everywhere.

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Rivers Casino Portsmouth Celebrates Grand Opening Today!

January 23, 2023

Rivers Casino Portsmouth officially opened its doors to the public this morning at 10am, becoming the first completed, non-temporary casino in Virginia!

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It's official: Rivers Casino Portsmouth opens its doors
Courtesy of 13News Now, Jan 23 2023. Available from YouTube

Mayor Shannon Glover called the Portsmouth casino a "dream come true."

"This place is everything we thought it would be and more. It can continue to attract folks to come to our city and see everything we have to offer."

Monday's grand opening was preceeded by two soft opening charity events on Thursday night and Saturday. The Saturday event tested the new BetRivers Sportsbook at which Virginia's first sports wagers were placed.

"With this BetRivers Sportsbook at Rivers, now Hampton Roads can get in on some of that action just in time for NFL playoffs, the Super Bowl and March Madness."

- Tim Drehkoff, CEO Rush Street Gaming

BetRivers Sportsbook at Rivers has a 750-foot TV display that can show up to 30 games simultaneously. Bets can be placed at 27 kiosks.

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Rivers Casino Portsmouth Opening Delayed to Jan. 23

January 13, 2023

Rivers Casino Portsmouth has delayed its grand opening until January 23. The previous date of January 15 did not allow enough time to complete full testing of the gaming machines. The $340 million casino will open with 1,448 slot machines and 57 table games.

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Rivers Casino Portsmouth opening pushed back to Jan. 23
Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Jan 11, 2023. Available from YouTube

The grand opening of new Rivers Casino Portsmouth is now scheduled to begin at 10am Monday, January 23. Nearly 1,300 workers have been hired and trained by the casino for opening day.

State officials have been onsite to certify the arrival and installation of the gaming equipment. An additional week of testing remains.

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Rivers Casino Portsmouth: Sneak Peek

December 16, 2022

As the Jan. 15th grand opening is fast approaching, Rivers Casino Portsmouth executives invited the media to take an interior tour of the casino this week to view the finishing stages of construction, which will all be completed by Jan. 10.

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Get a sneak peek at Portsmouth's casino ahead of its January 2023 opening
Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Dec 14 2022. Available from YouTube

Rivers Casino Portsmouth is the first permanent casino to open in Virginia. The casino will feature 1,448 slot machines, 57 table games, a 24-table poker room, a sports betting lounge and seven restaurants.

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Rivers Casino Portsmouth will open Jan. 15, 2023

November 22, 2022

Rivers Casino Portsmouth announced yesterday its opening date will be Jan. 15, 2023, Doors will open to the public at 3 PM. The announcement came one day after receiving its casino license from the Virginia Lottery.

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Rivers Casino Portsmouth announces opening date
Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Nov 21, 2022. Available from YouTube

Rivers Casino Portsmouth will open with 1,448 slot machines, 57 table games, a poker room with 24 tables, and a Betrivers sportsbook. Construction continues on the hotel and event center. Both will open at a later date to be announced.

The posting on Facebook reads "Play the hottest games, catch the best live shows, watch big-screen sports and enjoy a world of new flavor at Rivers Casino Portsmouth--Opening Sunday, January 15, at 3 PM!"

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Portsmouth casino is granted operator's license

November 19, 2022

The Virginia Lottery Board has granted an operator's license to the Rivers Casino in Portsmouth after a unanimous vote last Wednesday. The casino is expected to open in January or February 2023.

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Virginia Lottery Board approves Portsmouth casino's license
Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Nov 17, 2022. Available from YouTube

Virginia Lottery Executive Director Kelly T. Gee said in a statement:

"The lottery's gaming compliance department and legal counsel assisted in today's decision by conducting investigations and background checks on the applicants. The lottery works with all casino applicants, their vendors and employees to make sure all aspects of the operation are in strict compliance with Virginia law."

Rivers Casino in Portsmouth is the second casino in Virginia to be granted an operator's license. The first was awarded to Hard Rock Hotel and Casino last April. Casinos in Danville and Norfolk are on track to receive licenses within the next several months.

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Rivers Casino Portsmouth plans seven restaurants and quick-service venues

August 26, 2022

Rivers Casino Portsmouth announced plans last week for seven restaurants and quick-service venues to open with the casino next February.

Restaurant plans for Rivers Casino Portsmouth are unveiled by Roy Corby, General Manager, Aug 17, 2022

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Portsmouth casino unveils 7 new restaurants, amenities
Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Aug 16, 2022. Available from YouTube

The seven food and drink venues include":

Admiral's Steak & Seafood - prime beef and fresh seafood

Crossings Cafe - casual dining option with American cuisine

Mian - quick-service Chinese cusine

Slice Pizzeria - pizza

BetRivers Sportsbook - bar food and beer

Starbucks - coffee

TopGolf Swing Suite - bar drinks

Each of these restaurants and bars will be built, staffed and ready to open on the grand opening day of River Casino Portsmouth in early 2023.

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Rivers Casino Portsmouth will break ground Dec 7

November 30, 2021

The $340 million Rivers Casino Portsmouth will formally break ground on Tuesday December 7th next week. The site is 57 acres located a few miles southwest of downtown Portsmouth and adjacent to Tidewater Community College

Rivers Casino Portsmouth will be a $340 million casino complex with a slot machines, table games, restaurants, hotel, event center, and retail stores. See features.

Preparation of the building site began last August. Vegetation is cleared, the land is leveled and the soil has been tested/analyzed for the foundation.

Portsmouth residents approved the Rivers Casino project with a 67% vote in favor of a Nov. 2020 ballot referendum. Similar referendum were passed at that time in Norfolk, Danville, and Bristol.

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Update: Rivers Casino Portsmouth begins site preparation

August 13, 2021

Construction workers are clearing the fifty-acre site for the future River Casino Portsmouth. Site preparation is expected to be completed in time for an October groundbreaking, however, the exact date is still pending.

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Update on Portsmouth's Rivers Casino project - Courtesy of 13News Now, Aug 3, 2021. Available from YouTube

When will the actual construction start on the Rivers Casino Portsmouth? That date is dependent on the Virginia Lottery Board's final approval and issuance of the casino license. Rivers Casino Portsmouth is preparing the casino site in anticipation of that decision within the coming months.

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2020 Election: Portsmouth voters approve Rivers Casino plan

November 5, 2020

The $340M Rivers Casino Portsmouth was approved by Portsmouth voters this week. The project includes a casino, a 3,000-seat entertainment venue and a hotel. The location is on the Elizabeth River near the marina.

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Casinos are on their way to Norfolk, Portsmouth. Here's when they'll be completed - Courtesy of 13 News Now, Nov. 4, 2020. Available from YouTube

Construction of Rivers Casino Portsmouth will begin in 2021 and finish in 2023.

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News Headlines Continued

2022

Rivers Casino Portsmouth: Sneak Peek December 16, 2022 - As the Jan. 15th grand opening is fast approaching, Rivers Casino Portsmouth executives invited the media to take an interior tour of the casino this week to view the finishing stages of construction ... Read more Rivers Casino Portsmouth will open Jan. 15, 2023 November 22, 2022 - Rivers Casino Portsmouth announced yesterday its opening date will be Jan. 15, 2023, Doors will open to the public at 3 PM. The announcement came one day after ... Read more Rivers Casino Portsmouth is granted operator's license November 19, 2022 - The Virginia Lottery Board has granted an operator's license to the Rivers Casino in Portsmouth after a unanimous vote last Wednesday. The casino is expected to open in Jan-Feb ... Read more Rivers Casino Portsmouth plans seven restaurants and quick-service venues August 26, 2022 - Rivers Casino Portsmouth announced plans last week for seven restaurants and quick-service venues to open with the casino next February. ... Read more

2021

Rivers Casino Portsmouth will break ground Dec 7 November 30, 2021 - The $340 million Rivers Casino Portsmouth will formally break ground on Tuesday December 7th next week. The site is 57 acres located 3 miles southwest of downtown Portsmouth ... Read more Update: Rivers Casino Portsmouth begins site preparation August 13, 2021 - Construction workers are clearing the fifty-acre site for the future River Casino Portsmouth. Site preparation is expected to be completed in time for an October groundbreaking. ... Read more When will Virginia Casinos Open? May 29, 2021 - Virginia General Assembly approved legislation in 2019 for five cities to accept or reject a state-licensed casino. Here is the casino status for each of these five cities and the steps needed to complete construction and open the doors ... Read more Virginia Lottery Board approves state casino regulations February 13, 2021 - Last week the Virginia State Lottery Board approved its initial set of casino regulations to govern state-approved casino gambling operations. The provisions include slot machine payout percentages ... Read more

2020

Timeline for opening new Virginia Casinos November 29, 2020 - he Virginia Lottery Board has begun the long process towards licensing and opening the first Vegas-style casinos in Virgnia after voters in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth approved casino referendums ... Read more 2020 Election: Portsmouth voters approve Rivers Casino plan November 5, 2020 - The $340M Rivers Casino Portsmouth was approved by Portsmouth voters this week. The project includes a casino, a 3,000-seat entertainment venue and a hotel. The location is ... Read more 2020 Election: Virginia voters approve casinos in four cities November 5, 2020 - Local voters in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth approved local referendums to build casinos in their respective cities. Votes were 2 to 1 in favor of these casinos. ... Read more