Rivers Casino Portsmouth plans Jan. 15 opening

Rivers Casino Portsmouth will open to the public Jan. 15 at 3 p.m., according to an announcement Monday.

The $340 million venue, part of a planned entertainment district along Victory Boulevard off Interstate 264, will feature 1,448 slot machines, 57 table games and 24 poker tables as well as 10 bars and restaurants and an event space. It also includes a Topgolf Swing Suites that will overlook a BetRivers Sportsbook.

News of the opening comes just days after the Virginia Lottery Board unanimously approved the casino’s operators license. It is the second license issued in the state; the first was awarded in April to Bristol’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, which opened its temporary casino in July. A permanent, 90,000-square-foot resort and casino is expected to open there in July 2024.

Rivers Casino, which is owned and will be operated by Rush Street Gaming, will become the first permanent casino facility to open in Virginia. Proposed casinos are in the pipeline in Danville and Norfolk. Construction of Portsmouth’s casino began in December 2021.

“We’re grateful to the Virginia Lottery Board, the city of Portsmouth and the Hampton Roads community for their continued support,” Rush Street Gaming CEO Tim Drehkoff said in a statement. “It’s been exciting to watch the building go up, and we’re eager for the public to see what’s inside.”

The casino on Monday also announced that registration for its players club loyalty program is now open at riverscasinoportsmouth.com.

Rivers Casino will employ as many 1,300 workers. More than 950 job offers have been made with others continuing to go out.

“In the coming weeks, we’ll remain laser-focused on continued hiring and training efforts — ensuring our team is ready to deliver a first-rate customer experience when our doors open in January,” General Manager Roy Corby said in a statement Monday.

Construction of the Portsmouth casino began in December 2021.