Rivers Casino Portsmouth will pay $275,000 in a settlement agreement with the Virginia Lottery for alleged violations that occurred before and after the casino’s opening on January 23.
Virginia Lottery Executive Director Kelly Gee said, “Specifically, the Lottery identified alleged violations with respect to underage and voluntarily excluded persons, licensing requirements related to slot machines and unauthorized games in play,”as reported by local outlet WAVY. The violations were committed by the casino directly and through its contractors and agents, according to the settlement agreement.
Gee said the casino, owned by Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming, and the Lottery both wanted to avoid “the potential expense and inconvenience” of a formal administrative hearing. She said, “Rivers has cooperated fully with the Lottery’s inquiry into these matters, has taken corrective measures and has developed a corrective action plan to ensure future compliance with the Casino Gaming Law and its related regulations.”
Furthermore, Gee said, the settlement agreement “does not constitute an allegation, an admission or a denial by either party that a violation of law or regulation has occurred,” per WAVY. Gee stated she considered the matter closed, and explained the fine paid by the casino will go to the state’s general fund.
Despite the fine, Rivers Casino Portsmouth ended February, its full month in operation, with $24.6 million in gross gaming revenue. The venue posted $23.6 million in revenue in March. Virginia received $4.3 million in state and local taxes from Rivers and the city of Portsmouth collected $1.4 million in taxes.
