Portsmouth casino reports $24M of revenue in first month
PORTSMOUTH — Rivers Casino Portsmouth reported $24.7 million of gaming revenue in its first full month of operation, according to the Virginia Lottery Board.
The board’s February activity report, released Wednesday, shows it collected $38.4 million in revenue from the state’s two operational casinos. Rivers Casino Portsmouth received its operating license in November and opened on Jan. 23. The Hard Rock Bristol opened in July.
Portsmouth’s casino generated $4.4 million in tax revenue, with nearly $1.5 million of that headed to 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 will also receive shares of the tax revenue.
In the first week and a half after opening its doors, Rivers Casino Portsmouth reported $9 million in gaming revenue. General Manager Roy Corby previously told The Virginian-Pilot and reiterated Wednesday that demand is usually high in the beginning and expects it to normalize over time.
“We are grateful to our team members, guests and the community for their continued support,” he said in a statement.
Portsmouth’s 250,000-squarefoot 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. The Virginia Lottery Board’s February
report shows slot machines are the most popular as they made up more than $17 million of the total $24.7 million of revenue generated.