Published on: March 18, 2026, 08:43h.
Updated on: March 18, 2026, 08:46h.
- Virginia’s casino earnings hit record levels in February
- This surge in gaming revenue coincides with Virginia lawmakers exploring further gaming options
- Governor Spanberger remains undecided about signing two proposed gaming bills
In February, Virginia’s five casinos collectively reported unprecedented revenue, with patrons losing a total of $95.2 million.
February’s gaming figures were bolstered by the full month of operations at the temporary casino in Petersburg. Live! Casino Petersburg opened its doors on January 22, featuring over 926 slot machines and 32 live dealer table games.
Live! Petersburg achieved a gross gaming revenue (GGR) of $15 million in February. The Cordish Companies manage the temporary venue while the permanent $600 million Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia is under construction, expected to open in late 2027.
Virginia’s second temporary casino, The Interim Gaming Hall in Norfolk, operates on a smaller scale with just 132 machine games and no table games. It opened last November and reported a modest February GGR of $957K.
Boyd Gaming is currently building a $750 million permanent casino in Norfolk, which is also projected to open in 2027.
Successful Performance of Permanent Casinos
The remarkable growth in Virginia’s commercial casino sector wasn’t solely attributed to the temporary venues; the state’s three permanent casinos also demonstrated impressive improvements in February.
Caesars Virginia in Danville recorded a February win of $31.8 million from its 1,497 slot machines and 94 tables, marking a 2% increase compared to last year.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth followed closely with $26.4 million, reflecting a 9% increase thanks to its 1,420 slot machines and 84 tables. Meanwhile, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol generated $20.9 million from its 1,366 slots and 73 tables, a 6% growth from February 2025.
In total, the casino revenue in Virginia reached $95.15 million, showcasing a significant 27% year-over-year increase.
Expansion of Gaming in Virginia
Governor Abigail Spanberger (D) is set to determine whether Virginia will expand its gaming landscape.
Although lawmakers in Richmond did not advance iGaming proposals, they did approve a bill permitting a commercial casino resort in Fairfax County, alongside measures to establish regulations for skill-based games resembling slot machines in smaller businesses.
Spanberger had earlier voiced concerns about sanctioning additional gaming without establishing a centralized regulatory authority. Since the legalization of commercial casinos and sports betting, governance has been handled by the Virginia Lottery Board.
Governor Spanberger emphasizes the importance of having a single entity equipped with clear authority, standardized regulations, and robust compliance measures before considering any gaming expansion in Virginia,” Agriculture and Forestry Secretary Katie Frazier stated to the House General Laws Committee in February.
The proposed skill game legislation would add additional responsibilities for the Lottery Board, which would be tasked with overseeing as many as 25,000 skill games across various host locations.
Opponents of skill games argue that slot machines should remain exclusive to casinos, stressing that local businesses like restaurants and bars may struggle to keep these games from underage players.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has urged Spanberger to veto the proposal aimed at designating Tysons as a casino location.