Rivers Casino Portsmouth penalized $275,000 for alleged gaming violations involving underaged individuals
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PORTSMOUTH — Rivers Casino Portsmouth agreed to pay $275,000 in March after the Virginia Lottery spotted several alleged gaming violations.
In January and February, the Virginia Lottery, which regulates casinos throughout the commonwealth, worked with the casino to review alleged violations of the Casino Gaming Law, according to a settlement agreement between the two entities. The agreement states violations included “underage and voluntarily excluded persons,” licensing requirements for slot machines and unauthorized games in play. As a result, Virginia Lottery Executive Director Kelly Gee proposed a settlement amount of $275,000 to avoid a formal hearing.
It’s not clear what violation occurred among underaged individuals, and spokespersons from Virginia Lottery and Rivers Casino Portsmouth declined to provide additional details. The agreement states no formal findings have determined the merit of the violations.
“We take these matters very seriously and respect the decision of the Virginia Lottery Board,” Rivers Casino Portsmouth said in a statement to The Virginian-Pilot. “We cooperated fully and share the VLB’s commitment to compliance and regulatory vigilance.”
Gee briefly mentioned the settlement agreement with Virginia Lottery board members in an April meeting, noting that it’s now considered a closed matter. When asked during the meeting how such violations were reported, Gee said details of the investigation couldn’t be discussed in an open session but that an on-site compliance team worked with casino leaders to remedy the concerns. Board members were told details of such investigations are only brought to them if a settlement agreement, for example, isn’t reached.
The agreement requires Rivers Casino Portsmouth to submit a corrective action plan. The $275,000 penalty fee will be paid to the commonwealth’s general fund as required by state law.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth received its operating license in November and opened its doors in late January. The 250,000-square-foot facility, located on Victory Boulevard near Tidewater Community College, boasts nearly 1,500 slot machines, two dozen poker tables, nearly a dozen restaurants and other amenities.
Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com
