Petersburg’s temporary Live! Casino Virginia to open Jan. 22, full complex slated for 2027

The temporary Live! Casino Virginia in Petersburg is scheduled to open on January 22, 2026, subject to final regulatory approval, marking the city’s first step toward a permanent $1.4 billion casino and hotel complex planned for 2027.

The announcement was made by developers The Cordish Companies of Baltimore and Virginia Beach–based Bruce Smith Enterprise, who are leading the project on a 100-acre site off Interstate 95 at Exit 48B. Construction on the full resort began in March.

“After years of planning, we’re thrilled to see this vision become reality,” Cordish Gaming Group President Rob Norton said in a statement. “When Live! Casino Virginia opens its doors, Central Virginia will experience something truly exceptional — the region’s first full-scale casino featuring the electrifying energy of Vegas-style slots, live-action table games and the signature excitement only Live! can deliver.”

Render of the proposed development

The temporary facility is expected to employ roughly 500 people, including around 100 table game dealers, as hiring continues ahead of the opening. Penny Parayo, senior vice president and general manager of the property, said preparations are in full swing. “Our team has been working hard day and night to be able to welcome guests through our doors for the first time in January,” she said.

Developers originally anticipated opening the temporary casino by late 2025, but the timeline was pushed back because regulatory approval from the Virginia Lottery would not have been secured before the end of the year. The January date, they said, reflects confidence that approvals will be completed in time.

The 75,000-square-foot temporary casino will feature more than 900 slot machines, over 30 table games, a bar, and a quick-service restaurant, along with more than 1,000 parking spaces. It will remain in operation until the permanent complex is completed in 2027.

That larger destination will span 445,000 square feet and include 1,600 slot machines, more than 60 table games, a 200-room hotel with suites, a sportsbook, nearly 20 food and beverage outlets, and more than 70,000 square feet of convention and entertainment space. Developers expect the full resort to generate 1,400 jobs.

Render of the proposed development

Bruce Smith, founder of Bruce Smith Enterprise, said the site’s interstate access strengthens its appeal. “In the past, travelers have simply driven past this area for other points of interest. From Jan. 22 onwards, visitors will make the choice to come here as a prime destination,” he said.

Petersburg voters approved the casino through a referendum in November 2024, with more than 80 percent backing the project. The decision followed years of legislative attempts to bring a casino to the city, gaining momentum after Richmond voters twice rejected a separate casino proposal.

“The impact Live! Casino Virginia is having on Petersburg is significant,” Mayor Sam Parham said. “The temporary casino, and eventually the permanent destination resort, are going to transform the region, while shaping the future of our City for generations to come. This is just the start of an exciting new chapter.”

Economic forecasts project that once fully operational, the resort could generate about $204 million annually for Petersburg and contribute an estimated $2.8 billion over its first decade, making it the largest single revenue source in the city’s history. The 94-acre tract is also expected to attract additional commercial development.