Rivers Casino Portsmouth Holds Grand Opening Ceremony

The venue opened officially for visitors around 10 am on Monday, January 23, 2023. Besides public guests, the Mayor of Portsmouth, Shannon Glover, the director of Portsmouth Economic Development, Brian Donahue, and the executive director of the Virginia Lottery, Kelly T. Gee, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Additionally, Rivers Casino Portsmouth’s general manager Roy Corby and Tim Drehkoff, the chief executive officer of Rivers Casino Portsmouth and Rush Street Gaming, have also joined the prestigious event.

“We’re here to serve the community, our guests, and our Team Members.“

Roy Corby, general manager of Rivers Casino Portsmouth

Roy Corby, Rivers Casino Portsmouth’s general manager, shared his excitement by saying that the venue is pleased to serve its team members, the guests and the community as well. He explained that Rivers Casino Portsmouth plans to deliver unique experiences for its guests and become a go-to entertainment location for the community and Virginia visitors.

The first permanent full-service casino in Virginia offers 1,446 slot machines, as well as 57 table games. Additionally, Rivers Casino Portsmouth features 24 poker tables, as well as multiple dining and entertainment outlets.

Visitors of the location can enjoy high-end restaurants such as Admiral’s Steak and Seafood and Starbucks, Mian, and Slice Pizzeria, among other casual dining and beverage outlets. The location is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week. To enter the casino, visitors need to be at least 21 years old. The first full-service permanent casino in the state offers some 2,000 parking spots and has a permanent police station integrated within the venue.

The Venue Received Its Official Casino License, Completed Donations

Monday’s opening ceremony started with a performance from the Norfolk State University’s “Spartan Legion” Marching Band, a local musical ensemble. What’s more, at the grand opening ceremony, Rivers Casino Portsmouth received its official casino operator’s license from the Virginia Lottery’s deputy director of gaming compliance, Gina Smith.

“We’re excited to join such a vibrant community and to unveil this beautiful entertainment venue for all to enjoy.“

Tim Drehkoff, CEO at Rivers Casino Portsmouth and Rush Street Gaming

Tim Drehkoff, Rivers Casino Portsmouth’s CEO, said that it is exciting to see such a premium entertainment destination open its doors to visitors. “We’re grateful to the community and to our Team Members for their support, and we’re looking forward to launching this strong economic engine for the region,” he said in conclusion.

Celebrating its grand opening, the venue also donated $510,000 to three local charities. The donation consisted of proceeds from a gaming floor test undertaken between January 19 and January 21. As a result, each of the charities received a $170,000 donation.