Virginia: Rivers Casino Portsmouth welcomes 1 millionth customer in fifth month of operation

Virginia's Rivers Casino Portsmouth welcomed its millionth customer on Friday, after only five months of opening its doors to the public in January. 

Terri Powell, a Norfolk resident, was welcomed with cheers, applause, and confetti as she walked through the doors around 3:30 p.m. Friday. The casino said she'll get $1,000 in free slot play; dinner for four at Admiral’s Steak & Seafood, the casino’s award-winning steakhouse; and four tickets to see Theresa Caputo of "Long Island Medium" live at the casino in August. 

We welcomed our ONE MILLIONTH customer today! 🥳 We surprised Terri Powell with $1K Free Slot Play, dinner for 4 to Admiral’s Steak & Seafood, and 4 tickets to Theresa Caputo in August!

Congratulations, Terri, and thank you to the 999,999 guests who have visited us this year! pic.twitter.com/BiAtPaX4p8

— Rivers Casino Portsmouth (@RiversCasinoVA) July 1, 2023

Roy Corby, General Manager of Rivers Casino Portsmouth, said: "Rivers Casino Portsmouth has been committed to providing a superior customer experience since day one, and hitting this milestone within just six months of opening signals great progress." 

"Congratulations to our one-millionth customer, Terri, and thank you to the remaining 999,999 who have selected Rivers Casino as their entertainment destination of choice," he added.

Roy Corby, General Manager, of Rivers Casino Portsmouth

Last month, the Virginia Lottery reported it collected a total of $45.5 million in gaming revenue across the state's three casinos for the month of May. Rivers Casino Portsmouth, which opened its doors in late January, generated $20.6 million in May alone, compared to $12.9 million from Hard Rock Bristol and $11.9 million from Caesars Virginia

Portsmouth’s casino generated $3.7 million in tax revenue in May, with nearly $1.2 million of that earmarked for the city in a regional fund for education, transportation, and public safety improvements. The state’s Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund as well as the Family and Children’s Trust Fund also receive shares of the tax revenue.

The May report shows a decline in monthly gaming revenue since the casino opened in January. Revenue for February, its first full month in operation, was $24.7 million. Corby previously said demand is usually high in the beginning before trends normalize over time.

Portsmouth’s 250,000-square-foot facility, located on Victory Boulevard near Tidewater Community College, boasts nearly 1,500 slot machines, two dozen poker tables, nearly a dozen restaurants, and other amenities. It is the first permanent casino in the state, whereas both Hard Rock Bristol and Caesars Virginia operate as temporary facilities located in Bristol and Danville, respectively.