The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise have marked a construction milestone at Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia in Petersburg, with the final commemorative beam raised ahead of the resort’s scheduled opening in late 2027.
The development is projected to generate $2.8 billion in regional economic stimulus over its first decade, including $504 million in tax revenues, of which $240 million would go to Petersburg. Construction is expected to deliver $802 million in economic benefits, with another $201 million annually after opening.
The project is expected to support 7,700 jobs, including 6,100 during construction and 1,600 permanent positions. More than 600 permanent employees, including over 100 table game dealers, already work at the temporary Live! Casino Virginia, which opened on the same site in January 2026. The permanent resort will add approximately 1,000 jobs across gaming, hospitality, security, food service, administration and other operations.
The property, located near Interstate 95 and Wagner Road, approximately 25 miles south of Richmond and 45 miles north of the North Carolina border, will contain over 445,000 square feet of gaming and hospitality facilities. Plans include more than 1,600 slot machines, over 70 table games, a 35-table poker room, a sportsbook, a 200-room hotel, a pool, spa and fitness center, and a 70,000-square-foot event center.
The resort will also feature 20 dining and beverage venues, including Sports & Social, The Prime Rib and Luk Fu. Sports & Social will occupy 8,000 square feet and feature an 82-foot-wide, 14-foot-tall LED screen for sporting events, alongside interactive entertainment and food and beverage offerings. The concept operates at 18 locations nationwide.
The Prime Rib will offer steak and seafood dining, while Luk Fu will serve Pan-Asian cuisine featuring Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, and Japanese dishes. Both restaurants are being designed by Beth Bloom Designs. Additional hospitality partnerships are expected to be announced before opening.
The developers also plan to purchase tens of millions of dollars in goods and services locally. A contractor and vendor fair, organized with AnderCorp and the Virginia Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity, is scheduled for October 14 at the Petersburg Public Library, targeting local suppliers, minority- and women-owned businesses, and veteran-owned enterprises.
Meanwhile, the Richard Bland College Dealer Institute will begin another free seven-week training program on November 16, covering table game operations, customer service, and regulatory requirements.
The topping-out ceremony was attended by Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, Senator Lashrecse Aird, Delegate Kimberly Pope Adams, Petersburg Mayor Samuel Parham, AnderCorp Chairman and CEO Roy Anderson III, and regional business and community representatives.
“Today is an exciting milestone not only for Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia, but also for the City of Petersburg and the entire region,” said Bruce Smith, Owner of Bruce Smith Enterprise, Pro Football Hall of Fame Member, Developer and Community Leader.
“This project represents an extraordinary investment in the region’s future, creating new opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors. I am proud to be part of a development that is helping transform the city and drive economic growth.”
The ceremony also included a $15,929.82 donation to Lending Helping Hands through the casino’s Change Maker program, which collects guests’ remaining winnings change for nonprofit organizations. Since January, the initiative has contributed nearly $45,000 to nonprofits in the Greater Richmond area, with beneficiaries rotating quarterly.
The developers also support local organizations through financial contributions, in-kind assistance, and volunteer activities.