The Petersburg business community is getting ready for a wave of visitors. They're expected to start showing up once the temporary Live! Casino launches next month.
The new Petersburg casino will open on January 22, 2026, and is expected to become a major attraction in the area because it's not just a standalone project.
It's a stepping stone toward the larger $1.4 billion Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia, which is currently under construction. With the promise of bringing big excitement, local leaders and businesses are preparing to turn this opportunity into a thriving success for the entire city.
They're also hoping to learn from Danville's recent experience, when the city opened the Caesars Virginia casino last year.
What the Temporary Petersburg Casino Offers
The temporary Live! Casino in Petersburg will be more than just a gaming venue. It covers 75,000 square feet of space and will feature many amenities, including:
- 900 to 1,000 slot machines
- 32 table games
- Bar
- Quick-service dining options
- 1,000 parking spaces for visitors
The venue will also create 500 new jobs.
The casino will operate 24/7, making it a continuous draw for gaming enthusiasts across the region. City officials are expecting thousands of visitors each month, similar to the crowds seen at the temporary casino in Danville.
Why Businesses in Petersburg Are Excited
After breaking ground in March, the full casino and resort won't open until 2027, but Petersburg's city leaders are already preparing for what's to come.
A business roundtable was held to prepare for this opportunity to make Petersburg “the destination of the Richmond region” when the casino opens in less than two months.
To capitalize on this opportunity, local businesses are being urged to extend their hours, increase staffing, and improve their services to accommodate the influx of visitors the casino is expected to draw.
They view the casino as a key driver for transforming the city into a premier destination within the Richmond area.
“We want this to be the most amazing experience possible,” Demetrius Frazier, owner of Resist Booksellers in Old Town Petersburg, told WRIC-TV. Frazier said he’s on board with the city’s plan and hopes to continue seeing improvements that will attract a new customer base from the casino.
It should come as no surprise the project is getting so much support. It was overwhelmingly approved last year.
Learning from Danville's Example
Danville's experience with its own temporary casino offers valuable lessons for Petersburg.
After a slight delay, the temporary casino attracted about 100,000 visitors monthly, leading to increased spending at local businesses and a boost in tax revenues and jobs.
After the permanent Caesars Virginia casino opened, visitor numbers rose even higher, leading to a boom in local economic activity. Danville saw a 20% increase in regional visitor spending from 2022 to 2023, showing the potential impact for Petersburg.
Petersburg hopes to replicate this success by preparing its local businesses thoroughly and coordinating marketing efforts to draw visitors beyond the casino and into the city’s other attractions.
Economic Impact and Future Prospects
The economic benefits of the casino opening are expected to be significant.
Initial estimates project first-year gaming revenues over $200 million for Petersburg, with a long-term economic stimulus potentially reaching hundreds of millions over the next decade. The temporary casino will create more than 500 jobs, with the number increasing to 1,300 to 1,400 permanent positions once the full resort is operational.
In fact, the Petersburg Fire Department has already taken advantage of the casino money it was awarded. With $10 million from the city’s new casino revenues, the department ordered three fire engines and two ladder trucks.
However, with all these positives, experts and officials also advise caution. They emphasize the need for rigorous planning to address increased pressure on city services, potential social issues like problem gambling, and infrastructure needs. The project is seen not as a single solution but as part of a larger plan to spur local revitalization.
The upcoming opening of the temporary Live! Casino in Petersburg represents a significant opportunity.
By following in the footsteps of Danville, Petersburg can transform this project into a broader success that supports not just the casino but the entire community. If executed well, this could be the start of a vibrant new chapter for the city and its residents.
