The Virginia Lottery Board has granted approval for a new casino in Petersburg, formally adding the project to the list of licensed gaming facilities operating in the Commonwealth. The decision allows Live! Casino Virginia, operated by PPE Casino Resorts Petersburg LLC, to proceed with opening a temporary casino site later this month, following additional regulatory steps required before the first patrons arrive.

The board’s unanimous vote took place on Wednesday, Jan. 14, after the Virginia Lottery completed a detailed review of the operator’s application materials and what it described as “an extensive background investigation.” With that action, PPE Casino Resorts Petersburg LLC became the fifth casino facility operator licensed in Virginia, joining existing approvals in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth.

State Approval and Regulatory Oversight

Virginia Lottery officials confirmed that the Petersburg license remains conditional. According to Rob Norton, president of Cordish Gaming Group, the operator must still complete a supervised test run and audit scheduled for the week before opening. The Lottery regulates casino gaming and sports betting under legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2020, expanding the agency’s role beyond its original lottery offerings established by voter referendum in 1987.

The Petersburg casino will be located near the intersection of Interstate 95 and Wagner Road, close to exit 48B. A temporary 75,000-square-foot facility is set to begin operations on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 5 p.m. The permanent complex, which remains under construction, is expected to reach completion toward the end of 2027.

Jobs, Training, and Early Operations

In preparation for the opening, Live! Casino Virginia offered media a final tour of the temporary facility. Inside, hundreds of recently hired employees were completing training sessions, including security staff, bartenders, and table dealers. Norton said the casino issued more than 600 job offers, exceeding its original hiring target of 500 positions.

More than 100 of those employees completed training through the company’s Dealer Institute, which operates at Richard Bland College. One graduate, Rico Clavon, described his experience entering the program and developing new skills. “I definitely like to try new things,” Clavon said. “Definitely was like, one of the best students.” He later added, “At first I just wanted to see it as a part time job, but eventually, the more I started getting involved in it, it definitely started helping me master my craft.”

The permanent casino project is expected to generate 1,400 long-term jobs once fully operational. Plans for the larger complex include a hotel, dining options, a convention center, and a concert venue, forming a development that spans more than 450,000 square feet.

Economic Impact and Community Partnerships

City leaders anticipate a significant financial benefit from the casino’s arrival. Petersburg is projected to receive $15 million from casino operations in 2026 alone, separate from any additional tax revenue. Norton said the overall impact could be substantial over time. “Over our first ten years, when you combine both the temporary and the permanent, I think our estimate is about $240 million of value to the city of Petersburg,” he said.

Local businesses are also preparing to see increased activity. More than a dozen establishments have partnered with the casino to offer rewards vouchers that players can redeem throughout the area. Participating businesses include Resist Booksellers, Cindy’s Gift Shop, Escape Olde Towne, Ashton Creek Vineyard, and Cool Beanz Cafe.

Cheryl Brown, vice president of marketing, said the partnerships are designed to connect visitors with the surrounding community. “We want to be able to also tie in the community, to have patrons get to know the region,” Brown said. “No better way to do that than to have a partnership with the businesses in Petersburg and in the growing region.”

The Petersburg casino represents a $1.4 billion joint venture between The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise. As construction continues on the permanent site, the temporary facility’s opening marks the first step in a project state officials say will contribute jobs, tax revenue, and long-term development to the region under Virginia Lottery oversight.