Gamblers in Virginia will soon have another casino option. The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise recently broke ground on a new Live! Casino and Hotel in Petersburg.
The $1.4 billion project includes: 450,000 square feet of gaming, hotel and dining space; 75,000 square feet of meeting, convention and entertainment space including a 4,000-seat performance venue; a 200-room with pool and fitness center; 1,600 slot machines; 65 table games; a sportsbook; restaurant and entertainment options; and more. Poker players will also find a 22-table poker room.
The companies are now in the process of building a temporary casino to house: 75,000 square feet of gaming space, 900 slots, 33 table games, and a casino bar and restaurant.
Smith, an NFL Hall of Famer who spent 19 years in the league, was pleased to see the project kick off in his home state. Smith grew up in Norfolk and played football at Virginia Tech. He founded Bruce Smith Enterprises in 2004.
“It has been a source of immense satisfaction and pride to partner in this incredible development,” said Smith. "For far too long people have simply driven by the city of Petersburg, but today marks the beginning of a new era in which Petersburg will become a prime destination.
“This pivotal project will ignite tourism, create jobs, and ultimately deliver on the promise of greater opportunity and upward mobility for local families. As a champion of Petersburg and its residents, I am happily confident that this historic development will uplift, empower, and enrich this community for years to come.”
The project is expected to open in 2027 and the temporary facility will open by the end of 2025. Cordish says the project will immediately begin creating 500 new jobs, vendor opportunities and economic benefits for the city. In its first 10 years, the project is expected to generate $2.8 billion in economic stimulus to the region, $504 million in tax revenues, $802 million in economic benefits during construction, and 6,100 during construction and 1,400 permanent jobs.
The project became available to Petersburg after voters in nearby Richmond rejected a casino proposal in 2021 and 2023.
The new property breaks ground as the state’s casino revenue jumped 36% in January to $72.3 million from $52.8 million during the same month a year earlier. That number climbed even higher in February, to $75.2 million. That’s a 31.2% increase from $57.3 million in February 2024.
Virginia voters legalized up to five casinos in 2021 with properties now open in Bristol, Portsmouth, and Danville. Hard Rock Bristol was the latest of those, officially opening in November. Hard Rock unveiled its new poker room in February.
Photo courtesy of Cordish Cos.
