Live! Casino Virginia Opens Temporary Facility in Petersburg

 ^{Live! Casino Virginia developers and city leaders display a $15 million community investment check awarded to the City of Petersburg at the casino’s grand opening. (Photo: The Cordish Companies)}

Live! Casino Virginia celebrated the grand opening of its temporary facility of its temporary facility in Petersburg on Friday, marking the opening of the fifth casino in the state.

The temporary tented casino features over 900 slot machines and 30 table games, along with a bar and a quick-service restaurant on-site. The facility, located near I-95 about 25 miles south of Richmond, is expected to remain in use until late 2027, when developers expect to have opened their permanent casino resort on the same site. 

Developers, Local Officials Tout Bright Future for Casino Resort

Live! Casino Virginia is being developed by The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise. Both companies had representatives on site to celebrate the grand opening and emphasize the project's potential economic impact.

“For far too long, this area has been a place people passed through rather than stopped to explore; today, that changes,” said former NFL player Bruce Smith, founder of Bruce Smith Enterprise, at the opening. “Live! Casino Virginia will stand as a destination in its own right, and as someone deeply committed to this region and its people, I’m proud to help create opportunities that strengthen, inspire, and invest in the community for generations ahead.”

Petersburg Mayor Samuel Parham and multiple members of the Petersburg City Council were also in attendance. City officials had pushed to bring a casino to Petersburg, and despite back and forth accusations with state lawmakers over the process that got them to this point, they were excited to be on hand to see the fruits of their efforts.

“The influence Live! Casino Virginia is already having on Petersburg cannot be overstated,” Parham said. “From the temporary casino to the future permanent resort, this project is poised to redefine the Tri-Cities and help shape the long-term trajectory of our region.”

City, Local Charities Receive $15 Million Donation from Developers

The opening also included the announcement of a $15 million donation to the City of Petersburg and various local charities during the grand opening celebration. The money, donated by The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise, will be partially controlled by a Community Advisory Board tasked with directing the money toward city initiatives and community programs.

In addition, January 20 was designated as a Charity Test Day for the temporary casino. That session generated $50,000 in proceeds, which were split equally between Feed More and the John Randolph Foundation.

The opening debut drew a large crowd, with some guests waiting in long lines to enter the casino.

“I knew there was going to be a lot of people here, that’s why we came a little bit early,” casino patron George Friend told 12 On Your Side. “It was still about an hour, hour and a half wait. But it was worth it, it’s good development, good for the city.”

Petersburg residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of the casino in a November 2024 referendum. When the permanent casino is completed, it is expected to include a 200-room hotel, 20 restaurants and bars, and entertainment and meeting venues. The gaming floor is planned to accommodate 1,600 slot machines, a poker room, and a sportsbook.