Live! Casino Virginia in Petersburg has attracted roughly 500,000 guests since opening its doors on January 22, according to Renee Mutchnik, Vice President of Communications for LCV and parent company Cordish Gaming.
Mutchnik said the casino’s attendance figures extend beyond the two-hour driving radius the gaming industry typically uses as a benchmark for measuring audience reach.
The two-hour radius around Petersburg, which spans a distance of nearly 135 miles, covers Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. suburbs to the north, the Raleigh, North Carolina area to the south, Tidewater Virginia—home to two of the state’s five casinos—to the east, and Charlottesville and Lynchburg to the west. According to Mutchnik, LCV’s guest roster to date includes visitors from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada.
“This response confirms our belief that there is strong demand in Central Virginia for high-quality gaming and entertainment,” Mutchnik told The Petersburg Progress-Index.
Permanent resort construction on schedule
The current facility, a 75,000-square-foot temporary structure often referred to as “the tent,” operates while construction continues on the $1.4 billion casino-hotel-entertainment resort planned for the site. Mutchnik said Cordish remains on track to meet the resort’s late 2027 opening target.
LCV currently employs about 500 staff members, roughly a third of the workforce projected for the permanent resort. Cordish Gaming partnered with Richard Bland College to establish a Dealers Institute, which Mutchnik estimated has trained more than 100 table-game dealers to date.
“We had to up our projected recruitment needs and increase training in order to keep pace with the demand,” Mutchnik said. “We will continue to be ramping up as we prepare for the larger resort opening.”
Temporary casino opened seven months ago
Revenue and tax contributions to date
LCV has generated close to $91 million in adjusted gross revenue since opening, according to figures from the Virginia Lottery, which regulates the state’s gaming industry. Petersburg’s share of tax revenue generated by the casino totals nearly $5.5 million.
February and March produced the city’s highest monthly tax contributions, at $900,000 and $911,000, respectively. In subsequent months, Petersburg’s average monthly share has held in the mid-$800,000 range.
“While fluctuations in gas prices and the broader economy can influence consumer behavior, we continue to see strong guest traffic,” Mutchnik said. “Our focus remains on delivering exceptional service, compelling promotions, and a fun, welcoming environment that gives guests a great experience and strong value for their entertainment dollars.”
Winter storm failed to deter early visitors
Two days after LCV’s January 22 opening, a major snowstorm hit the Tri-City area, prompting state and local officials to advise against non-essential travel.
Mutchnik told The Progress-Index at the time that “thousands of guests” visited LCV during its first weekend of operation despite the conditions. Casino staff maintained clear parking lots and sidewalks throughout the storm, and no weather-related injuries or incidents were reported.
Over the past seven months, LCV has paid out more than $28 million in cash jackpots, with the largest single payout totaling $65,000.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/08/25/126037-live-casino-virginia-draws-500-000-visitors-in-first-seven-months
