Live! Casino & Hotel to Unveil Temporary Casino in Virginia This January
New Opening Date for Live! Casino & Hotel’s Temporary Venue
Live! Casino & Hotel’s temporary casino in Petersburg, Virginia, is now set to open in January 2026. Although initially planned for a year-end debut, unforeseen delays have pushed the launch to January 22, 2026. During this period, the Cordish Companies continue advancing work on the permanent casino and hotel complex.
Details of the Temporary Casino Setup
The upcoming temporary casino will occupy a spacious 75,000-square-foot air-conditioned pavilion tent. It will feature around 900 slot machines and 33 live dealer table games, providing an early taste of the iconic Live! Casino & Hotel offerings. Situated adjacent to the permanent casino’s construction site near Interstate 95 at Wagner Road, this temporary facility aims to welcome players ahead of the full resort’s completion.
The Vision for the Permanent Live! Casino & Hotel Petersburg
Slated for completion in 2027, the permanent Live! Casino & Hotel in Petersburg promises a significantly larger scale. It will house approximately 1,600 slot machines, 60 gaming tables, and a dedicated sportsbook. Beyond gaming, the venue will offer eight dining and drinking establishments, a pool complex, a fitness center, conference and convention spaces, as well as a theater with seating for 4,000 guests.
Future expansions may be considered depending on the success of the property, potentially including residential units, office spaces, retail shops, and a park area to enhance the overall resort experience.
Establishing the Live! Brand in Virginia
The Cordish Companies, in partnership with NFL legend Bruce Smith, obtained approval to launch gaming operations in Virginia following voter support in Petersburg in 2024. This milestone followed earlier unsuccessful attempts to secure casino approvals in Richmond. With this development, Virginia will become the fourth state to host a Cordish-operated casino, joining Louisiana, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
Rob Norton, president of Cordish Gaming, expressed excitement about bringing the Live! experience to Virginia. He highlighted the significance of launching the region’s first full-scale casino with the distinctive offerings that the Live! brand is known for.
While this will be the first comprehensive casino in the area, Cordish already maintains a foothold in Virginia through its involvement with developing the Norfolk Waterside District.
