Key Moments:
- The temporary Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia venue in Petersburg is now targeting a January 2026 opening.
- The provisional casino will feature approximately 900 slot machines and 33 live dealer table games housed in a 75,000-square-foot pavilion tent.
- The full-scale permanent resort is scheduled to debut in 2027 with significant amenities and expansion plans.
New Timeline for Casino Launch
Plans for a temporary Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia in Petersburg have been pushed back, with the opening now set for January 22, 2026, instead of before the end of the current year as initially expected. The Cordish Companies, alongside local partner Bruce Smith Enterprise, will introduce the provisional facility in a climate-controlled pavilion tent near the future resort’s construction site off Interstate 95 at Wagner Road.
Provisional Gaming Facility Details
This temporary casino installation will offer around 900 slot machines and 33 live dealer table games within a 75,000-square-foot tented space. According to Rob Norton, president of Cordish Gaming, “After years of planning, we’re thrilled to see this vision become reality. 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.”
$600 Million Resort to Follow
The initial phase of the permanent Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia project amounts to $600 million in investment. This development includes a hotel with 200 rooms, a casino floor with 1,600 slot machines, 60 table games, a sportsbook, and amenities such as eight restaurants and bars, a pool complex, fitness center, a 4,000-seat theater, and event space. The scheduled opening for the completed resort is in 2027.
Future Expansion Plans
Further expansions worth $800 million are planned if the first phase succeeds. These projects would introduce new residential options, office space, retail outlets, a grocery store, and a public park to the area.
Regulatory and Community Support
Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith secured the casino license in the November 2024 elections following strong community backing in Petersburg, with over 80 percent of local votes supporting the resort proposal. This opportunity came after Richmond voters twice rejected a casino, prompting lawmakers to shift the license approximately 25 miles south to Petersburg.
Cordish and Bruce Smith Background
Cordish Companies brings experience from existing casino operations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana, and is expanding into Virginia. The firm previously played a role in Norfolk’s Waterside District redevelopment and pursued, unsuccessfully, casino partnerships in Norfolk and Richmond.
Bruce Smith, NFL Hall of Famer and Virginia native, is also an established real estate developer with projects throughout the region, ranging from Washington, DC, to Blacksburg, Virginia.
Project Overview
| Development Phase | Scheduled Opening | Key Features | Investment Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Casino | January 22, 2026 | 900 slots, 33 table games in pavilion tent | Not specified |
| Permanent Resort (Phase 1) | 2027 | 200-room hotel, 1,600 slots, 60 tables, sportsbook, 8 restaurants/bars, theater, event venues | $600 million |
| Planned Expansions | Post-Phase 1 | Residential units, office, retail, grocery, park | $800 million |
- Author
Daniel Williams
