- Rivers Casino Portsmouth will be opening on January 15, 2023.
- The Rush Street Gaming-owned property will be the first permanent casino to open in the Commonwealth.
- The casino is expected to bring in $16 million in annual tax revenues from casino taxes, real estate taxes, and hotel and entertainment taxes..
Rivers Casino Portsmouth General Manager Roy Corby hosted a media tour last week to give a sneak peek of what the new casino has to offer.
The $340 million project is set to become the first permanent casino to open in Virginia when it debuts on January 15, 2023. Before the grand opening, it will hold two “charity days” on January 10 and 12.
First Permanent Casino to Open in Virginia
Virginia: Rivers Casino Portsmouth to become the state's first permanent casino on January 15 https://t.co/CMYSDDwubj
— Yogonet Gaming News (@YogonetNews) December 15, 2022
A temporary casino operated by Hard Rock is currently operating in Bristol and since July, it has been the first and only casino to operate in the state. However, once the Rivers Casino Portsmouth opens next month, it will be the first permanent full-service casino in the Commonwealth.
The 250,000 square-foot casino is situated on a 57-acre land South of Interstate 264, between McClean and Victory Boulevard which it acquired last year from the city of Portsmouth for $10 million. Construction on the site began in December 2021 and with less than one month away from its grand opening, workers are hurrying to put the finishing touches on the 7th ground-up facility for Rivers Casino.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth will feature 1,448 slot machines, 57 table games, and 24 poker tables housed under an exclusive poker room. The casino will have a retail Barstool Sportsbook which will have the largest HD TV sets in Hampton Roads. The sportsbook will have several bet writing counters and 27 self-service betting kiosks positioned strategically across the property.
Other Amenities
A high-limit games room with 85 slot machines and 11 tables, along with two salons and a private table area for high-roller gamblers. Just off the gaming floor will be the Topgolf Swing Suites which overlooks the sportsbook. The Topgolf Suites will have three bays, with each bay able to hold up to eight guests.
The casino will have a 25,000-square-foot area called The Events Center which can host conventions, weddings, expos, and galas. Rivers Casino Portsmouth previously announced 10 restaurants and bars that will open inside the casino, including Admiral’s Steak and Seafood, Crossings Cafe, Mian, Slice Pizzeria, and Starbucks.
A Sound Bar with live entertainment every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday will also be part of the facility. The Sound Bar can accommodate up to 120 people and it has a rounded bar with 88 seats and tables with seating near the stage.
Transformational Economic Development
Jacob Oberman of Rush Street Gaming looks at the “transformational economic development" coming to Virginia via Rivers Casino Portsmouth. https://t.co/fEw1zvXwbn
— CasinoBeats (@casinobeatsnews) January 21, 2021
The opening of Rivers Casino Portsmouth is expected to bring a “transformational economic development” not only to the city of Portsmouth but also to the larger area as well. The casino is projected to deliver $16 million in annual tax revenues generated from casino tax revenues, real estate tax payments, sales and use tax, and hotel and entertainment taxes.
Aside from tax payments, the casino is also expected to draw visitors to the city of Portsmouth and the greater Hampton Roads area. The influx of local tourists is also expected to bring in an estimated $200 million in annual economic activity in the bigger picture.
Once completed, the casino is expected to have 1,300 new and permanent employees. That’s aside from the current 1,400 construction jobs that it has created. Currently, the casino has already hired an estimated 1,000 full-time employees. The company plans to have one more job fair this coming Thursday before its opening day to fill the remaining vacant slots.
