PORTSMOUTH, Va. - On Tuesday, local leaders officially welcomed the construction of a casino in Portsmouth.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth will be located at Victory Boulevard near Freedom Avenue, just off I-264.
Among those attending the groundbreaking are Senator L. Louise Lucas, Delegate Barry Knight, Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover, Robert Moore of Portsmouth Economic Development, as well as officials from Rush Street Gaming and members of Portsmouth City Council.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Mayor Glover said Rivers Casino Portsmouth is a "regional effort" and will "truly be a game changer." He added that the casino will be about the size of four football fields.
Rivers Casino Portsmouthreleased new interior renderings in May for the new gaming and entertainment complex planned for Victory Boulevard. On Tuesday, Rush Street Gaming CEO Greg Carlin said this will be the first casino in the Commonwealth of Virginia. "Rivers Casino will truly become a regional destination," he added.
It will include a casino, hotel, and event center. The renderings highlight the casino's gaming floor, the bar areas with large LED screens, a live music lounge, and more.
The casino is set to bring in 1,300 permanent jobs and 1,400 temporary construction jobs.
S.B. Ballard Construction Company, based in Virginia Beach is joining Yates Construction for the development of the casino.
Senator L. Louise Lucas (D) of Virginia says this is a dream come true for her.
"All of my adult life, I have envisioned bringing economic development to the City of Portsmouth, the home of my birth," stated Senator Lucas. "And I can think of no better opportunity than a casino."
"You know they say – you build it and they will come. I envision all kinds of things coming up around this casino," the Senator added.
For more information on career options at Rivers Casino Portsmouth, click here.
