Virginia Casinos Report Monthly Revenue Record as State Industry Takes Hold

Posted on: March 18, 2025, 10:51h. 

Last updated on: March 18, 2025, 11:58h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More

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• Virginia casinos set a new monthly GGR record in February
• Caesars Virginia in Danville emerged as the market leader
• Virginia legalized casino gaming in 2020 with Rivers Portsmouth opening first in January 2023

Virginia casinos won almost $75.2 million from players in February, marking the highest monthly haul in Virginia’s newly liberalized gaming industry.

Virginia residents approved of commercial casino gambling, inclusive of slot machines, live dealer table games, and sports betting, through a statewide 2020 ballot. The referendum to amend the Virginia Constitution and the commonwealth’s bans on most forms of gambling aside from the state-run lottery and parimutuel horse wagering authorized casinos in select cities.

The gross gaming revenue (GGR) includes slots and table games. Sports betting numbers are reported separately and are expected later this week. Sports betting is conducted both in-person at the casinos and online, with the bulk of the bets being made remotely.

February’s GGR tally equated to $13.5 million in state taxes. About 6% is returned to the host cities, and 1% is divided between the state’s Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund (0.8%) and Family and Children’s Trust Fund (0.2%). 

Caesars Reigns 

Caesars Virginia, the costliest of the three casinos at $750 million, opened in December. The integrated resort has quickly become the top gaming floor among the three players.

Caesars Virginia’s 1,577 slot machines and 100 table games won more than $31.1 million from gamblers in February. The Caesars February gaming revenue represented a 9% month-to-month gain or an increase of almost $2.6 million.

Rivers Portsmouth, the first permanent casino to open in Virginia in January 2023, reported GGR of $24.3 million. That marked a 4% decline from January or a difference of nearly $1 million.

Rivers is a nonhotel casino with 1,417 slots and 84 tables. Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming invested $340 million to bring the casino, entertainment center, TopGolf Swing Suite, and dining destination to life.

Rush is required to construct and open a hotel in Portsmouth once a casino “within 15 miles” opens. Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe hope to open their $750 million casino resort in Norfolk in late 2027.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol opened its permanent property last November. The casino’s 1,484 slots and 73 tables generated GGR of $19.7 million in February, a 7% month-to-month increase. Hard Rock spent $515 million on its development located at the former Bristol Mall.

Virginia Gambling Expansion 

It was only several years ago that Virginia was among the most restrictive gaming states. Before 2018, the commonwealth had no slot-like historical horse racing (HHR) machines, commercial casinos, or sports gambling.

Last but not least, Churchill Downs opened The Rose Gaming Resort in Dumfries last fall. The gaming floor houses 1,650 HHR terminals and is complemented by a 102-room hotel.