Casinos in Virginia reported impressive growth in January, and are adding a significant amount to the state’s coffer.
The Virginia Lottery announced that its three land-based casinos generated $72.3 million in adjusted gaming revenue in January. This amount marks an increase of over 36% from the previous year when the casinos earned only $52.8 million.
Virginia law imposes a graduated tax on a casino's adjusted gaming revenue, the total wagers minus winnings. Casinos paid $13 million in taxes to the Gaming Proceeds Fund.
The state then distributes this tax revenue to different areas: the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund, the Family and Children’s Trust Fund and the city hosting the casino. For the Bristol casino, the law directs that the tax money intended for the host city goes to the Regional Improvement Commission (RIC).
This news comes as ground was recently broken on a new waterfront casino being built in Norfolk. And that a new casino is coming to Petersburg after 82% of residents voted in favor of the $1.4 billion project in November.
Caesars Tops Virginia Casino Revenue in January
Caesars Virginia made the largest contribution to the January 2025 revenue, bringing in $28 million in adjusted gaming revenue, which accounted for 39% of the state-wide total.
Caesars, with the second-largest slot machine count in Virginia, operates nearly 1,480 machines. These slots generated $21 million in revenue, up over 73% from the previous year.
The casino also offers the largest variety of table games, with 140 options. These games contributed $7 million in revenue, an increase of 66% compared to the previous year.
Caesars Virginia opened in December in Danville.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth Starts 2025 Off Strong
Second on the list of the top revenue-generating casinos in Virginia is Rivers Casino Portsmouth. It followed Caesars closely with $25.3 million in revenue, thanks largely to its 1,419 slots earning $17.3 million and 85 table games adding $8 million.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth is a BetRivers casino that celebrated its grand opening on January 23—making history as the Commonwealth of Virginia’s first full-service permanent casino.
Hard Rock Bristol Earns Nearly $19 Million in January 2025
Hard Rock Bristol also played a significant role, bringing in $18.5 million. Out of this amount, $15.2 million came from its 1,486 slot machines, while 77 table games produced $3.4 million.
The Virginia Lottery Board approved HR Bristol's casino license in April 2022. By July 2022, the temporary casino facility opened, marking it as the first operational casino in Virginia. The permanent casino resort opened in November 2024.
Virginia Online Casino Efforts On Hold Until 2026
Since the land-based casinos in Virginia are doing so well, the next logical step would be to add online casinos in Old Dominion. It may happen in the future, but it won’t be this year.
Virginia Delegate Marcus Simon introduced HB2171, which was the House version of SB827. This bill proposed to allow each casino in the state to offer up to three online casino platforms under a single license, taxed at a rate of 15%.
After a brief hearing, the effort to legalize online casinos was ultimately delayed until next year. The committee chose to "gently table" the bill and decided to have its work group study the issue further.
Sweepstakes Casino Games an Option in Virginia
Sweepstakes casinos are allowed in Virginia, as long as the sponsor awards the prize based on chance.
Sites like WOW Vegas Casino, Pulsz Casino, High 5 Casino, McLuck Casino, and Stake.us offer around 400 social casino games. Many offer no deposit bonus offers to get you in the game for free.
One look at the latest land-based casino figures in Virginia demonstrates a thriving industry, with robust contributions across each location.
