The paperwork will be prepared when Rivers Casino Portsmouth is fully prepared. On Wednesday, the Virginia Lottery Board awarded the Hampton Roads venue its second Virginia casino license.
However, this does not indicate that betting is currently allowed in Portsmouth. To draw a comparison, the lottery board issued the state’s first license to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol in April, yet Bristol Casino — Future Home of Hard Rock only opened on July 8.
Chairman Ferhan Hamid announced that Rivers Casino Portsmouth achieved a significant milestone as the VA Lottery Board granted unanimous approval with a 7-0 vote on Wednesday.
Virginia’s gaming scene is constantly changing, and the Lottery Board is dedicated to ensuring the responsible and fair operation of casinos in the state. While not everyone may visit these establishments, it is crucial for all citizens to have complete confidence in their regulation, which must adhere to the highest standards of integrity.
Caesars Virginia in Danville and HeadWaters Resort & Casino in Norfolk, along with Bristol, are planning to establish temporary casinos. However, Rivers Portsmouth Gaming LLC has decided to skip the temporary casino approach and aims to launch its $300 million casino by early 2025.
Before being granted a Virginia casino license, all four venues are required to successfully pass background checks.
The Virginia Lottery is now halfway through, with two more to go.
According to Kelly Gee, the Executive Director, the Lottery collaborates with casino applicants, their vendors, and employees to ensure that every aspect of the operation adheres to strict compliance.
There is a possibility that either Richmond or Petersburg could apply for the fifth Virginia casino license. Both cities are fiercely competing to secure this opportunity.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth has its Virginia casino license: Now what?
The casino project in Portsmouth, funded by Portsmouth Gaming, involves a substantial investment of $300 million. The designated site for the casino will be situated at the intersection of Victory Blvd. and Freedom Ave. within the city.
The projected annual tax revenue for Rivers Casino is estimated to be $16 million. Although subject to possible alterations, the current plans for the project encompass the following aspects:
- BetRivers Sportsbook
- Casino games such as table games and slot machines
- Full-service hotel
- Live event center
- Conference and meeting space
- BetRivers Sportsbook offers a variety of dining options for its customers. In the lounge, patrons can enjoy bar food, craft beer, and cocktails. For those seeking high-end options, Admiral’s Steak and Seafood offers prime meat and fresh seafood. The TopGolf Swing Suite golf simulator is serviced by servers who take orders for drinks and bar food. Mian provides quick service and made-to-order Chinese food, while Crossings Cafe serves American cuisine. Finally, patrons can indulge in a slice of pizza from Slice Pizzeria or enjoy a cup of coffee from Starbucks.
In August 2021, workers initiated the land clearance for the project while awaiting licensing approval from the VA Lottery. Subsequently, crews commenced ground-breaking activities in December of the same year.
During the build-out phase, Portsmouth is dependent on approximately 1,400 temporary construction jobs.
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