Construction Continues On Rivers Casino Portsmouth

The Rivers Casino Portsmouth project achieved a significant milestone this month as construction reached a new phase. Following the commencement of construction in December, the project recently marked the completion of its final steel beam installation with a celebration.

The grand opening of the $300 million resort is scheduled for early 2025.

Rivers Casino Portsmouth remains on schedule

The traditional topping-off ceremony was celebrated by the construction crews. A final Rivers-yellow beam, bearing the signatures of the Ballard-Yates construction teams, casino leaders, and local officials, was raised to commemorate the occasion.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, including supply chain disruptions and labor shortages, Justin Ballard from S.B. Ballard Construction Company assured that the casino project is still on schedule for completion in early 2025.

Less than a year ago, we embarked on the task of moving dirt and establishing the stage, and we have been making remarkable strides since then.

In August 2021, the workers initiated the land clearing process for the project, anticipating the licensing from the Virginia Lottery. Subsequently, this past December, crews commenced the construction work.

Located at the junction of Victory Boulevard and Freedom Avenue, the Rivers Casino Portsmouth project is set to encompass a wide array of impressive features.

• casino
• hotel
• restaurants
• event center
• live entertainment lounge
• BetRivers Sportsbook

Job fairs scheduled for the coming months

The city can expect to receive approximately $16 million in tax revenue from Rivers Casino Portsmouth, along with the creation of 1,300 permanent job opportunities. On May 12, the casino organized an initial job fair and started accepting applications specifically for positions related to table games.

Similar to the initial fair, the upcoming event will be held at the Tidewater Community College Portsmouth campus. However, this time it will have a specific emphasis on recruiting individuals for hospitality roles, including servers, bartenders, and cooks.

The remaining position openings at the casino will be addressed during the four scheduled fairs in July, August, and September. Those who are interested can find out more information and register on the casino’s website.

One of four casinos coming to Virginia

Other Virginia cities are also considering the idea of having casinos, not just Portsmouth.

Urban One was awarded a contract in 2021 to construct a casino resort in Richmond, the capital city. Authorities projected that the city would receive a tax revenue ranging from $19 million to $22 million annually for the expansive one-million-square-foot establishment. However, in November of the same year, Richmond voters rejected the proposal through their ballots.

However, in January of this year, the city council members passed a resolution and two ordinances showing their support for the revival of Urban One’s project. These votes also moved forward the process of reintroducing a casino proposal on the ballot.

Resolution 2022-R003 designates 2001 Walmsley Blvd. and 4700 Trenton Ave. as the designated locations for the new casino. Additionally, RVA Entertainment Holdings, LLC has been identified as the leading gaming operator for the city.

Although Richmond voters opposed the establishment of a casino within their city, residents in Norfolk, Danville, and Bristol all voted in favor of implementing their own casino measures.

On July 8, Hard Rock International is set to debut the inaugural temporary location, known as Hard Rock & Hotel Casino Bristol. Spanning 30,000 square feet, this temporary space will not only generate 600 employment opportunities but also present a multitude of entertainment options, including close to 900 gaming slots and 20 tables.

The construction of the permanent Bristol casino is anticipated to be finished within a timeframe ranging from 18 months to two years.