Rivers Casino Portsmouth
November 8th, 2023
Celebrates Opening
Rivers Casino Portsmouth made history yesterday as the first full-service permanent casino in the Commonwealth of Virginia, celebrating its grand opening. The event began with a special performance by Norfolk State University's "Spartan Corps" Marching Band. Local musical ensembles recently appeared at the 2023 New Year's Rose Parade.
The morning ribbon cutting ceremony featured remarks from Roy Covey, general manager of Rivers Casino Portsmouth, Shannon Glover, mayor of Portsmouth, Brian Donahue, director of economic development at Portsmouth, Virginia Lottery Director Kelly T. G., and Tim Drekkov, general manager of Rivers Casino Portsmouth and Rush Street Gaming.
"We are excited to join such a vibrant community and unveil this beautiful entertainment venue for everyone to enjoy," said Tim Drekkov, CEO of Rivers Casino Portsmouth and Rush Street Gaming. "We appreciate the community and their support and we look forward to launching a strong economic engine for the region."
At the ceremony, Rivers Casino Portsmouth was awarded an official casino operator's license by Gina Smith, Virginia Lotto's deputy director of game compliance.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth also announced donations to three local charitable partners as proceeds during the game floor test event on January 19 and 21. Kings Daughters' Children's Hospital, USO Hampton Roads and Central Virginia and Wesley Community Service Center each received $170,000, representing a total contribution of $510,000 from the casino.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth opened to the public at approximately 10 a.m. on Jan. 23, and guests present were among the first to experience the casino's 1,446 slot machines, 57 table games, 24 poker tables, and a myriad of on-site dining and entertainment options. Among a few new restaurants is the Admirals Steak and Seafood for fine dining, Crossings Cafe, Cian, Sliced Pizza, a light meal at Starbucks, and the Yard House, which opened later this year, offering the world's largest selection of draft beer.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth will offer guests live and virtual entertainment such as the Betriver Sportsbook, Top Golf Swing Suite and Soundbar.
At the premiere last Saturday, Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover, Senator L. L. Louise Lucas, and House Minority Leader Don Scott placed their first bets at the BetRivers Sportsbook adjacent to the gaming floor. The luxury sportsbook features club seats, bars, betting windows, 27 self-service kiosks, and several large high-definition screens for viewing.
The new Topgolf Swing Suite offers customers a bird's-eye view of the game and a virtual entertainment experience. Overlooking the BetRivers Sportsbook The luxurious lounge for fans features a simulated fairway on a large screen with club seats for visitors.
Magicians, jugglers, acrobats, steel walkers, cheerleaders, and other performers were added to the large opening festival.
The region's most popular "Seamless Band" and "Better by Tuesday" were played for opening day audiences at the Sound Bar, an intimate stage and lounge area that could accommodate local bands, DJs, and more.
The event center, a 25,000-square-foot multipurpose grand hall and reception space, accepts reservations for weddings, corporate events and meetings. On Monday, January 16, the Epsilon Nu Lambda Branch of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity hosted the 18th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Luncheon at the event center as the venue's first event. Rivers Casino Portsmouth applied as a presentation sponsor.
Roy Corby, general manager of Rivers Casino Portsmouth, said, "We are here to serve the community, our guests, and our team members." "We will accomplish that mission by creating an excellent guest experience and becoming a choice of entertainment destinations for visitors to Portsmouth, Hampton Roads, and our region."
Rivers Casino Portsmouth is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Guests must be at least 21 years old to access the game room. The casino offers approximately 2,000 surveillance parking spaces. Portsmouth City Police Department was also incorporated into the facility.
Virginia-based S.B. Ballard Construction Company is the general contractor for this development with Yates Construction, a joint venture partner. Kimley-Horn's Virginia Beach office served as an engineering consultant. Klai Juba Wald, a famous game and hospitality designer, is the architect of records, Jeffrey Beers International is the main interior designer, and DMAC Architecture is the architect of interior places.
