Virginia casino revenue reaches $60.1 million in April, with Rivers Portsmouth on the lead

Virginia's three operational casinos - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Temporary Bristol, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, and Caesars Virginia - combined to generate over $60.1 million in adjusted gaming revenue and $10. 8 million in gaming tax revenue in April, according to data released by the Virginia Lottery.

Rivers Casino Portsmouth emerged as the top performer, generating $26.4 million in revenue. Virginia's first permanent casino, which opened its doors in January 2023, boasts 1,466 slot machines and 81 table games. While slot machines brought in $18.4 million, the table games earned $8.01 million. More than $1.5 million in gaming tax will be remitted back to the host city. 

Caesars Virginia, with its temporary facility in Danville operational since May 2023, reported $19.7 million in total revenue comprising $14.4 million in revenue from its 808 slots and $5.2 million from its 33 table games. Its permanent resort casino is slated to open late this year. More than $1.1 million will come back to the city of Danville. 

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Temporary Bristol, operating since July 2022, reported $13.94 million in revenue for April. Virginia’s first casino generated about $11.03 million from its 911 slots and $2.91 million from its 29 table games. About $836,679 will be remitted back to the host city. 

All three casinos reported less income in April than in March. Portsmouth reported $27.7 million in March, Caesars Virginia reported over $21 million, and Bristol $16.2 million. As a consequence, state gaming tax revenue was $10.82 million, about $1 million less than the previous month.

The casino industry in Virginia continues to expand, with the ongoing construction of the permanent Caesars Virginia and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol underway. Moreover, plans for future developments, including the $500 million HeadWaters Resort & Casino in Norfolk, indicate further growth prospects for the state's gaming sector.

Last month, Virginia's city of Petersburg was added to the list of places eligible for a casino. SB 628, sponsored by Senator Lashrecse Aird, was passed 80-19 with an amendment that removes the reenactment clause. This means the General Assembly opened a path for residents to vote on a referendum to have casino gaming in the city as soon as this November. Later that same month, Petersburg unanimously chose The Cordish Companies to build a casino should voters approve the move in a referendum. 

The Cordish project is expected to generate billions of dollars in economic benefits and spinoff development, create thousands of new jobs and benefits to the local community, and become a major new tourist destination for the City and the Central Virginia region, the company said in a statement. 

The proposed site is situated at the intersection of Wagner Road and Interstate I-95 with easy access on and off the East Coast's major north-south interstate. The parties propose to open an initial first-phase casino within a year.