Virginians wager $433M on sports in February
Virginians bet more than $433.8 million on sports in February, according to data released Friday by the Virginia Lottery. Virginia sports bettors won more than $394 million in February. More than $430 million of sports betting revenue came from mobile operators, with the remaining roughly $3.55 million coming from casino retail activity out of the […]
Virginia hold ’em
The slot machines are already ringing out in Bristol and Portsmouth, where Virginia’s first commercial casinos opened during the past year. The state’s first permanent casino, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, opened its doors on Jan. 23. Operated by Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming, the resort has 1,148 slot machines, 57 table games and 24 poker tables, as […]
February 2023 Top Five
The top five most-read daily news stories on VirginiaBusiness.com from Dec. 15, 2022, to Jan. 13 included an update on the planned merger of Eastern Virginia Medical School into Old Dominion University. 1 | Youngkin budget outlines EVMS/ODU merger by 2024 EVMS would merge with ODU by July 2024, according to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed […]
Rivers Casino Portsmouth opens to big crowds
When Rivers Casino Portsmouth opened its doors Monday, Christopher Hoffman was among the thousands of patrons attending opening day at the first permanent casino to open in Virginia. A Hampton resident and manager at Rosie’s Gaming Emporium, Hoffman said he wanted to be “part of history” happening in the state. He gave the casino a good […]
Rivers Casino Portsmouth opening delayed
Rivers Casino Portsmouth‘s grand opening has been delayed until Jan. 23, eight days after its initially scheduled opening planned for Jan. 15, the casino announced Tuesday. The casino wanted to allow for additional time to test and verify new gaming equipment, a spokesperson for the casino said in an email. “Providing a superior guest experience […]
December 2022 Top Five
The top five most-read daily news stories on VirginiaBusiness.com from Nov. 14 to Dec. 14, 2022, included a Virginia Business scoop about a restaurant on the culture-war frontlines that became a national news story. 1 | Richmond restaurant refuses service to conservative Christian group Metzger Bar & Butchery canceled The Family Foundation’s reservation, citing the […]
First look inside Rivers Casino Portsmouth
Rivers Casino Portsmouth will be the first permanent casino to open in Virginia when it opens its doors to the public on Jan. 15, 2023, but local media outlets got a sneak peek on Tuesday. With 28 days until opening — the casino will open for two “charity days” on Jan. 10 and 12 — […]
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 […]
Lottery Board approves license for Portsmouth casino
The Virginia Lottery Board unanimously approved the casino facility operator’s license for the Rivers Casino Portsmouth Wednesday. It was the second casino operator’s license issued in the state; the first was awarded in April to Bristol‘s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, which opened a temporary casino in July. Two more proposed casinos are in the […]
Gambling on Hampton Roads
Roy Corby’s first job at a casino was as a dealer. Now, Corby is general manager of the $300 million Rivers Casino Portsmouth, which is on track to become the first Virginia casino to open in a permanent location. It plans to open in January 2023 at the intersection of Victory and Cavalier boulevards, off […]
Construction begins on Rivers Casino Portsmouth
Chicago-based developer and gaming operator Rush Street Gaming broke ground Tuesday on Rivers Casino Portsmouth, kicking off construction of the $300 million casino and entertainment complex. Located off Victory Boulevard, the complex will have a casino, BetRivers sportsbook, restaurants, a live entertainment lounge, hotel and event center. It is scheduled to open in early 2023. […]
Rush Street Gaming announces Portsmouth casino general manager
Chicago-based developer and gaming operator Rush Street Gaming announced Monday that it has named Roy Corby as the general manager for the upcoming $300 million Rivers Casino Portsmouth. “We’re excited to expand our Rivers Casino family of market-leading destination casinos and to help launch Virginia’s new casino industry,” Rush Street Gaming CEO Greg Carlin said […]