Published on: January 16, 2026, 11:23 AM.
Updated on: January 16, 2026, 11:23 AM.
- A Petersburg casino is set to launch later this month
- The Live! Casino Virginia project is a collaboration between Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise
Residents of Virginia will soon have a variety of casinos to explore as a fifth location featuring slots and table games opens its doors later this month.
The Baltimore-based Cordish Companies acquired rights to operate a casino in Virginia following a November 2024 referendum, which saw strong local support for the proposed $600 million Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia in Petersburg, with over 80% of voters in favor.
Virginia’s gaming regulations permit licensed establishments to set up a temporary casino while the permanent facility is under construction. Cordish has announced plans to launch a provisional casino in Petersburg next week.
Petersburg Casino
On Thursday, January 22, Live! Casino Virginia will officially open with over 900 slot machines and 30 live dealer table games. Additionally, the casino will feature a fully-stocked bar and a quick-service restaurant named Luckies. Free parking will be available at the pavilion located at 301 Wagner Road.
The launch of Live! Casino Virginia was initially scheduled for late 2025, but Cordish announced a postponement in November due to undisclosed factors.
“It’s been an extensive effort over the past month and a half to develop this space. The environment feels very much like a brick-and-mortar establishment rather than a mere tent. Visitors will only realize they’re in a tent if they glance up at the ceiling,” remarked Joshua Willet, Director of Slots and Guest Services at Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia, during an interview with 12 On Your Side.
A soft launch will take place on January 20, allowing preregistered guests to enjoy gambling from noon until 8 PM. Live! will donate all proceeds from this event to Feed More, a regional food bank in Central Virginia, and the John Randolph Foundation, which focuses on community health initiatives in the Tri-Cities area. Registration for the charity event can be found here.
Cordish is developing the Petersburg casino in partnership with NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith and his real estate firm.
Together, Cordish and Bruce Smith Enterprise have plans for a $600 million permanent venue that aims to offer 1,600 slot machines, 60 table games, and a comprehensive sportsbook. The final project will also feature a 200-room hotel, eight dining options, a pool complex, a fitness center, conference facilities, and a 4,000-seat theater.
The permanent Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia is anticipated to debut late next year.
Virginia Casinos
With the upcoming launch of Live! Casino Virginia, the state will host five active casinos offering slots and table gaming. This includes three established casinos: Rivers Casino Portsmouth, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, and Caesars Virginia in Danville, in addition to a temporary casino that opened in Norfolk last November.
Moreover, Virginia features slot-like historical horse racing (HHR) machines, which can be found at The Rose Gaming Resort in Dumfries, Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent, and various Rosie’s Gaming Emporium off-track betting locations.