- Rivers Casino Portsmouth has set its grand opening date to January 15, 2023.
- It is the 7th “ground up development” for River Casinos, joining properties in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York.
- The casino is expected to bring in $200 million in annual economic activity in the city and Hampton Roads.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth will open its doors to the public on Sunday, January 15, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.
The announcement was first revealed by the casino’s official Facebook page which wrote:
The revelation came shortly after Rivers Casino received its operator license from the Virginia Gaming Board. Rivers Casino Portsmouth will be the first full-service permanent casino in Virginia and is part of a planned Entertainment District at Victory Boulevard, just south of Interstate 264.
In a statement, Rush Street Gaming CEO Tim Drehkoff said:
Rivers Casino Portsmouth to Open on January 15, 2023
Rivers Casino in Portsmouth to open Jan. 15 https://t.co/K4ASPyNf1H
— 13News Now (@13NewsNow) November 21, 2022
The $300 million project is currently under construction at a 57-acre land located south of Interstate 264, between McClean and Victory Boulevard. The lot was acquired by Rush Street Gaming from the city of Portsmouth last year for $10 million. Once completed, the Portsmouth Casino will be the 7th “ground-up” development for Rivers Casino, joining properties in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth will have an expansive gaming floor with 1,448 slot machines, 57 table games, and 24 poker tables housed under an exclusive poker room. It will also feature a retail BetRivers Sportsbook which will have the largest high-definition screens in Hampton Roads. The sportsbook will be equipped with several sportswriting windows and 27 self-service betting kiosks.
The casino resort will also boast a 25,000-square-foot area called The Events Center which can host weddings, conventions, expos, and galas. It will also have an intimate stage and lounge dubbed as The Sound Bar which will host local bands, DJs, and many more.
A couple of months ago, Rivers Casino Portsmouth officials announced 10 restaurants and bars which will be housed under one roof. These include high-end dining at Admiral’s Steak and Seafood, casual dining at Crossings Cafe, Asian cuisine at Mian, Slice Pizzeria, Starbucks, and Crossings Cafe. Just off the gaming floor, the Topgolf Swing Suites overlooks the sportsbook.
Transformational Economic Development Coming to Virginia
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 next year is expected to bring a “transformational economic development” not just to the city of Portsmouth but to the larger area as well with an estimated $200 million worth of economic activity to the city and Hampton Roads.
Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover called it a “huge economic boost” to the city:
Aside from the upcoming 1,300 permanent jobs, the casino has created 1,400 construction jobs since breaking ground last year. Last July, the company opened a 2,317-square-foot office in a co-working space on High Street in Olde Town to facilitate administrative work and recruitment. So far, a total of 800 employees have been hired, with more than 500 positions still vacant.
The casino resort is also expected to generate $16 million in tax revenues with Rush Street Gaming not seeking any tax incentive from the city. These taxes will be generated from casino tax revenues, real estate tax payments, sales and use tax, and hotel and entertainment taxes.
