Operator News

US – Rivers Casino opens Virginia’s first free-standing casino in Portsmouth

By Phil - 23 January 2023

Virginia’s first freestanding casino, the $340m Rivers Casino Portsmouth, has now opened for business.

It opened with an expansive gaming floor with 1,448 slot machines, 57 table games, and 24 poker tables in a dedicated poker room. The casino brings ten new restaurants and bars all under one roof, including high-end dining at Admiral’s Steak and Seafood, casual dining at Crossings Café and Asian cuisine at Mian; plus, Slice Pizzeria, Starbucks and more.

Just off the gaming floor, Topgolf Swing Suites overlooks the BetRivers Sportsbook, featuring the largest high-def screens in Hampton Roads to watch local, regional, and international sporting events. Sportswriter windows are located within the sportsbook, along with 27 self-serve betting kiosks. 

The Event Center, a 25,000 square foot multipurpose grand hall and reception area, will host weddings and galas, conventions and expos, meetings and conferences—and headline performers.  The Sound Bar, an intimate stage and lounge area, will host local bands, DJs, and more.

Security is a key feature of the new property with metal detection systems and officers on hand to escort big winners back to their vehicles when they leave. 

Roy Corby, Rivers Casino’s General Manager, said: “We have a state-of-the-art surveillance system, security patrols throughout the parking lot, and over 1,000 surveillance cameras. Plus the city of Portsmouth asked us to put some cameras on top of the building for them. It gives them a great view of what’s going on down Victory Boulevard and Missy Elliot Boulevard.”

“Being the first in the state really sets a tone for what a host community should expect from a casino partner,” he added. “Working with the state of Virginia and the Virginia Lottery Board to get these things accomplished has been a fantastic voyage. It’s surreal that we’re finally going to get into the mode of, ok let’s actually operate a casino.”

Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover added: “45 per cent of our land is owned by the federal government. So we don’t get any tax revenue from that land. Those new tax revenue dollars are going to go to things that are critically important to our city our schools, our police and fire, our infrastructure.”