Rivers Casino Portsmouth workers approve Virginia’s first union contract for casino employees

Workers at Rivers Casino Portsmouth have made history in the state's gambling industry, becoming the first casino employees in Virginia to ratify a union contract.

Represented by Teamsters Local 822, the employees voted 95% in favor of the collective bargaining agreement, which sets new standards for pay, benefits, time off, and workplace safety, according to a report by The Virginian Pilot.

“This is history in the making,” James Wright, president of Teamsters Local 822, said. “For the first time, Virginia gaming workers have a legally binding union contract that delivers guaranteed raises, strong benefits, and just cause protections. This agreement proves that when workers stand together, they can transform their industry.”

The agreement includes nearly 16% in raises over the life of the contract, employer-paid health care coverage, protections from at-will termination, and additional paid time off, according to the union.

Rivers Casino Portsmouth, which opened in 2023, is one of three operational casinos in Virginia. The other two are located in Bristol and Danville.

A fourth casino is on the way in Norfolk, where the Virginia Lottery Board last week approved a gaming license for a temporary facility set to open next month. The permanent casino and resort is expected to be completed in 2027.

Teamsters Local 822 represents more than 3,000 workers across Hampton Roads, and union leaders say this deal could set a benchmark for labor standards in the state’s expanding gaming industry.