Published on: November 3, 2025, at 09:39h.
Updated on: November 3, 2025, at 09:39h.
- Workers at Rivers Casino Portsmouth have successfully unionized with the Teamsters
- This historic union agreement ensures salary increments and benefits protections
Rivers Casino Portsmouth in Virginia’s Hampton Roads region is creating history yet again in the state.
Being the first permanent casino to debut in Virginia, the $340 million Rivers Casino opened its doors with over 1,400 slot machines in January 2023. Recently, on Friday, it made headlines as the inaugural unionized casino in the state.
“This is a groundbreaking moment,” remarked James Wright, president of Teamsters Local 822. “For the first time, gaming workers in Virginia have a legally recognized union agreement that includes guaranteed raises, robust benefits, and just cause protections. This deal demonstrates that collective action can revolutionize the industry.”
According to the Local 822 Teamsters chapter, an overwhelming 95% of workers at the Portsmouth casino voted in favor of unionization. The Norfolk-based union, traditionally serving freight and manufacturing sectors, asserts that the Rivers Casino contract will set an important precedent for equitable wages and workplace safeguards in Virginia’s burgeoning gaming sector.
Assured Salary Increases
Local 822 also represents employees from UPS, UPS Freight, ABF Freight, and Pepsi, and now Rivers Casino joins this list.
The union has announced that workers at Rivers will receive a total pay increase of 15.95% over the duration of their contract. Details regarding the contract’s length have not been clarified by the Teamsters in response to inquiries from Casino.org.
Additionally, benefits include employer-covered health insurance, protections against at-will employment, and extra paid time off. Workers at the newly unionized casino will also receive one-time bonuses of $500 for full-time employees and $250 for part-time employees upon ratification.
“This agreement provides me and my family with security. I feel my job is safe, my health care is assured, and my combined wages and tips afford me the stability to secure our future,” said Natasha O’Guinn, a slot attendant at Rivers Portsmouth. “We finally have a say and a fair contract that acknowledges our daily contributions.”
Rivers Casino Portsmouth is not the only Rush casino to form a union.
The Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, affiliated with the ALF-CIO, has represented casino employees at Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady in Upstate New York for several years. Additionally, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh has had union representation from various groups, including the International Union of Operating Engineers and the Steel City Casino Workers Council Organizing Committee.
Rivers Portsmouth Thriving
Rivers Portsmouth has proven to be a significant success for Rush. With 1,400 slot machines, nearly 60 live dealer table games, and the BetRivers Sportsbook, the casino generated gross gaming revenue (GGR) of $250 million in its first year, which surged to $309 million in 2024 and continues to grow in 2025.
Nevertheless, the casino will soon encounter competition from neighboring Norfolk, where Boyd Gaming is set to open a temporary casino shortly. Boyd is spearheading a $750 million casino resort adjacent to Norfolk’s Harbor Park Minor League Baseball stadium, projected to be operational by 2027. This new facility will host 1,500 slots, 50 table games, and a sportsbook.
To remain competitive, Rush is investing $65 million to construct an on-site 106-room hotel called The Landing, expected to welcome its initial overnight guests in early 2027.