Advantage Play Guide: Richmond, Virginia
Virginia is one of the fastest-changing casino markets in the country — the state went from zero commercial casinos to multiple operating properties between 2020 and 2024. Richmond AP players now have Rivers Casino Portsmouth 90 minutes away, Hard Rock Bristol for destination trips, and a proposed Richmond casino in development. The regional circuit is building quickly.
Virginia Casino Landscape (2024)
- Rivers Casino Portsmouth — Portsmouth VA (70 miles SE of Richmond); Rush Rewards; 1,400+ machines; opened December 2023
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol — Bristol VA (300 miles SW); Hard Rock Social Club; 2,000+ machines; opened 2024
- One Casino + Resort (Richmond) — proposed; under development in Richmond; no opening date confirmed as of 2024
- Caesars Virginia (Danville) — 150 miles SW; Caesars Rewards; opened 2024 as temporary facility; full resort in development
Caesars Virginia (Danville): A Caesars-branded property opened in Danville VA (150 miles SW of Richmond) in 2024 under Caesars Rewards — the same program as Caesars Atlantic City, Horseshoe, and Harrah's properties nationwide. For Richmond AP players building Caesars Diamond status, Caesars Virginia is a new Caesars earning option in-state, now closer than any previously available Caesars property.
Richmond AP Day Trip Circuit
- Rivers Casino Portsmouth (1.5 hrs): Rush Rewards; best for day trips; Hampton Roads market
- MGM National Harbor (2 hrs north): MGM Rewards; Oxon Hill MD near DC; 3,300+ machines
- Live! Casino Maryland (2 hrs north): Maryland Live Rewards; Hanover MD near BWI; 4,200+ machines
- Hollywood Casino Charles Town (2 hrs northwest): mychoice; Charles Town WV; 3,000+ slots
- Maryland/DC circuit: MGM National Harbor + Live! Casino Maryland = two programs, 7,500+ machines in one day
Program Priority for Richmond AP Players
- Caesars Rewards: Caesars Virginia (Danville, 150 mi) + future access nationally; highest priority for Diamond status benefits
- MGM Rewards: MGM National Harbor (2 hrs north) + resort fee waiver value; second priority
- Rush Rewards: Rivers Casino Portsmouth (1.5 hrs SE); useful for in-state play
- mychoice: Hollywood Charles Town (2 hrs NW) + regional Penn properties
Access all 150+ machine guides covering Rivers Casino Portsmouth, MGM National Harbor, Live! Casino Maryland, and the full Mid-Atlantic AP circuit.
View Membership OptionsFrequently Asked Questions
Are there casinos near Richmond, Virginia?
Yes. Virginia authorized commercial casino gaming in 2020 and several properties have opened or are opening. Rivers Casino Portsmouth (70 miles southeast of Richmond, near Norfolk/Virginia Beach) is the closest major casino to Richmond — opened December 2023 with 1,400+ machines and earns on Rush Rewards. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol (300 miles southwest in Bristol VA near the Tennessee border) opened in 2024. A proposed casino in Richmond (One Casino + Resort) has been approved and is under development as of 2024-2025. Virginia's gaming landscape is rapidly expanding from zero commercial casinos to multiple properties.
What loyalty program does Rivers Casino Portsmouth use?
Rivers Casino Portsmouth earns on Rush Rewards, the loyalty program for Rush Street Gaming properties. Rush Rewards covers Rivers Casino Portsmouth, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, Rivers Casino Philadelphia, Rivers Casino Des Moines, and other Rush Street properties across multiple states. A single Rush Rewards card earns at all Rush Street casinos — giving Richmond/Hampton Roads AP players earning opportunities when traveling to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia markets. Rush Rewards has competitive earning rates and is a program worth maintaining for multi-city AP players.
What is Hard Rock Bristol and how far is it from Richmond?
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol is a full resort casino located in Bristol, Virginia on the Virginia/Tennessee state line — approximately 300 miles southwest of Richmond (4.5-5 hours driving). It opened in 2024 as the first destination casino resort in Southwest Virginia. The property features 2,000+ machines, table games, hotel, and entertainment. Hard Rock Bristol earns on Hard Rock Social Club. For Richmond AP players, Bristol is primarily a destination trip rather than a day excursion due to distance, but it adds Hard Rock Social Club earning to the Virginia gaming portfolio.
What should Richmond AP players do while waiting for a downtown casino?
Richmond AP players currently have several options: Rivers Casino Portsmouth (1.5 hours southeast) for Rush Rewards earning on a day trip or overnight; Hard Rock Bristol (4.5 hours for a destination trip); Charles Town Races & Slots in West Virginia (2 hours northwest) — now Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races under Penn mychoice; and MGM National Harbor (2 hours north near Washington DC) for MGM Rewards earning. The Washington DC area circuit (MGM National Harbor, Live! Casino Maryland) is also reachable for multi-property day trips from Richmond.
Is there a casino in Richmond, Virginia yet?
As of 2024, there is no operating casino within Richmond city limits. The One Casino + Resort project (proposed location near downtown Richmond) received city approval and is in development — the timeline has experienced delays and the project may still be years from opening. Check current news for the latest status. In the meantime, Richmond AP players make day trips to Rivers Casino Portsmouth or the Maryland/DC market casinos. The Virginia gaming market is one of the fastest-evolving in the country as newly authorized properties open.
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