Live! Casino Virginia Opens Temporary Petersburg Site

Petersburg added a new attraction along the I-95 corridor as Live Casino Virginia opened its doors with a temporary gaming facility. The launch marks the first public step toward a far larger resort plan that developers say will reshape jobs, tourism, and local investment over time.

Good to Know

• Live Casino Virginia opened a temporary gaming site in Petersburg
• Developers committed more than $15 million to the city and local charities
• A $1.4 billion permanent resort is scheduled for late 2027

Community impact took center stage during opening events. Developers handed over $15,050,000 to the City of Petersburg and area charities, including a $15 million contribution tied to a long-term community funding pledge. Oversight for future distributions will come from a Community Advisory Board focused on local priorities.

Money from those commitments will support childcare, elder care, affordable housing, education, and workforce development. A separate charity test event held on January 20 raised an additional $50,000, split between Feed More and the John Randolph Foundation.

Petersburg Mayor Samuel Parham, said:

“The influence Live Casino Virginia is already having on Petersburg cannot be overstated. This project is poised to redefine the Tri-Cities and help shape the long-term trajectory of our region.”

The temporary casino operates around the clock and sits just off I-95 at Exit 48B, roughly 25 miles south of Richmond and 45 miles north of the North Carolina border. Inside, guests will find 75,000 square feet of gaming space, more than 900 slot machines, over 30 live-action table games, a signature bar, and a quick-service restaurant. The site also offers more than 1,000 free parking spaces.

Job creation already followed the opening. More than 500 permanent roles are filled, including over 100 table games dealer positions. Hiring continues across gaming operations, security, hospitality, and support functions as activity ramps up.

Bruce Smith, founder of Bruce Smith Enterprise, said:

“Live Casino Virginia will stand as a destination in its own right, and as someone deeply committed to this region and its people, I’m proud to help create opportunities that strengthen, inspire, and invest in the community for generations ahead.”

Community engagement extends beyond payroll. The casino launched the Live Change Maker program, which allows guests to donate leftover change from winnings. The Virginia State University Foundation will receive the first round of proceeds, with collections running through March 31, 2026.

Behind the temporary opening sits a much larger vision. The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise plan to invest $1.4 billion into a permanent Live Casino and Hotel Virginia complex. Construction is already underway, with completion targeted for late 2027.

Plans for the full resort include a 200-room hotel, a larger gaming floor with 1,600 slot machines and 60 table games, a dedicated poker room, a sportsbook, and around 20 dining and entertainment venues. Developers expect the completed destination to draw visitors from across Virginia and neighboring states while anchoring long-term economic activity in Petersburg.

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