In 2019, the city of Portsmouth began seeking proposals of a possible casino for the area. An additional condition was set that each city must hold a referendum on the question of whether to allow casino gaming in the city. In 2020, Virginia legislators passed a bill allowing the establishment of casinos, but limited the option to five eligible host cities: Portsmouth, Richmond, Norfolk, Danville, and Bristol. Owned by Rush Street Gaming, it opened on January 23, 2023, becoming Virginia's first full-service permanent casino. Rivers Casino Portsmouth is a casino located in the Hampton Roads city of Portsmouth, Virginia, adjacent to the Tidewater Community College - Portsmouth Campus.
