Virginia Lottery settles with Rivers Casino Portsmouth for $275K

The state gambling regulator in Virginia, USA, has issued a penalty settlement with Rivers Casino Portsmouth, a prominent and licensed land-based gambling establishment. The decision to hand down the penalty comes after a detailed investigation into potential breaches by the casino that point to shortcomings in relation to the active state gambling law.

According to News 3, which reported the story originally, and was cited by various media outlets, the settlement between the prominent operator and the regulator was reached in March. As to the date of the offenses, the Virginia Lottery alleged that the wrongdoing happened in January and February 2023.

Rivers Casino Portsmouth is said to have breached Casino Gambling Law, although the two parties have remained fairly withdrawn in providing the public with the full details of what the offenses committed may have been. However, the regulatory protocols were clearly followed in the process.

The Virginia Lottery has followed all necessary steps, informing the casino about the breaches, and reaching out to seek settlement. According to the regulator, the casino had violated certain mandates of the Casino Gambling Law both prior to the opening of the property which took place on January 23, 2023, and after that.

The only detail provided as to why the penalty was necessary was coached in terms that referred to self-exclusion and underage gambling, and specific licensing requirements that had to do with the slot machines on-site the venue, it seems.

Thanks to the settlement, however, Rivers Casino Portsmouth would not need to have an administrative hearing. The settlement was ordered to be remitted within ten days to the Lottery, and the money was forwarded to the state’s General Fund. Rivers Casino Portsmouth has taken the matter seriously and confirmed that it is looking to collaborate with regulators and authorities.

A statement issued to News 3 said that the operator and property took the decision of the regulator very seriously and were prepared to comply in any way necessary to ensure that they demonstrate the brand’s unwavering commitment to the Casino Gambling Law.

Apart from this, Rivers Casino Portsmouth has done well. The casino managed to post $23.6m in March, and it also collected $24.6m in February before that. All in all, Rivers Casino Portsmouth is off to a good start in the state, minus this recent hiccup.

Image credit: Unsplash.com