Virginia Casinos Hit January Jackpot: 36% Revenue Surge Fuels Expansion Dreams
Virginia’s Three Casinos Posted $72.3 Million in Gaming Revenue
Virginia’s January Revenue Breakthrough
Virginia’s brick-and-mortar casinos hit a hot streak in January 2025, with a 36% increase in adjusted gaming revenue (AGR). According to the Virginia Lottery, three land-based casinos combined for $72.3 million in AGR.
The revenue bump is leading to big plans, including the groundbreaking of a $750 million casino resort in Norfolk this past Monday and a proposed Las Vegas-style entertainment district in Fairfax County. As those projects move forward, the state’s focus is on building up its land-based gaming industry
However, not all bets are paying off in the Old Dominion State. While brick-and-mortar casinos are raking it in, the push for online casinos expansion has gone bust for now.
The Virginia General Assembly recently tabled plans to regulate online casinos until 2026, creating a big difference between the booming physical betting casinos and mobile gambling apps.
A Virginia teacher’s union supports rallies for new casino project to add taxes for schools.
David Walrod, president of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, said in a statement, “This is an important opportunity to bring in more commercial tax revenue for schools and…
— Institute For The American Worker (@Inst4AW) October 28, 2024
Breakdown at the Table
According to official documents, the $72.3 million figure in adjusted gaming revenue (AGR) for January 2025 is up from $52.8 million in January 2024. A closer look at the numbers reveals where the wins are coming from:
Caesars Virginia (Danville):
- Total AGR: $28.5 million (39.4% of state revenue)
- Slot machine revenue: $21.3 million (73% increase YoY)
- Table game revenue: $7.1 million (65.7% increase YoY)
Rivers Casino Portsmouth:
- Total AGR: $25.2 million (7.3% increase YoY)
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol:
- Total AGR: $18.5 million (53.3% increase YoY)
Betting on the Future
The January revenue increase is already fueling big plans across Virginia. In Norfolk, construction on a $750 million casino resort began Monday. This new cash casino is a partnership between the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Boyd Gaming. The high-stakes project will be a game-changer for the area, featuring:
- A 65,000-square-foot gaming area
- 1,500 slot machines and 50 table games
- A 200-room hotel and eight dining establishments
Meanwhile, the Virginia Senate approved a proposed casino in Tysons Corner in Fairfax County, a Las Vegas-style entertainment district with multiple hotels, restaurants and a 6,000-seat concert venue. However, the plan has faced opposition from local groups who are worried about the impact on the community.
@VaJLARC is the 2019 Gaming in the Commonwealth the latest and greatest impact study of casinos in Virginia? https://t.co/9cLWrrczX5 thanks for confirming.
— Genni Frost (@FrostGenni93534) February 7, 2025
Online Casino Delay
While brick-and-mortar casinos are making casino news headlines, the push for online casino expansion has gone bust. Senator Mamie Locke’s Senate Bill 827, which would have regulated online casinos, has been delayed until 2026.
The bill would have set online casino regulations for real money slots, table games, and poker through mobile gambling apps. It suggested a 15% tax on gross gaming revenue.
Other states like Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania just reported online casino revenue records for 2024. Meanwhile, Indiana and Wyoming put the brakes on iGaming proposals too.
While the allure of online casino gaming remains, the proven performance of physical casinos is currently the ace up Virginia’s sleeve.
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