Virginia Lottery Board approves Live Casino Virginia operator's license for Petersburg project

The Virginia Lottery Board voted Jan. 14, 2026 to grant a facility operator's license to PPE Casino Resorts Petersburg, LLC, the company proposing to operate as Live Casino and Hotel Virginia in Petersburg.

Lottery staff summarized a comprehensive background investigation and recommended approval. "The lottery's background investigation has confirmed that PPE Casino Resorts Petersburg, LLC has the financial resources, business experience, and ability to execute its business plan with no derogatory concerns regarding integrity or overall suitability," lottery staff member Mr. Temple told the board. The staff report said the investigation reviewed corporate structure, affiliated entities, ownership trusts, financial records and seven individual qualifiers and found no disqualifying factors under the casino gaming law.

The board's approval was conditioned on completion of outstanding operational matters to the satisfaction of the lottery's deputy executive director for gaming compliance and on receipt of $15,000,000 as required by statute. The motion also approved key manager/supplier permits for seven named qualifiers and delegated authority to the deputy executive director for follow-on supplier or service permits.

Chair Farhan Hammad opened the special meeting by noting the board's statutory duty "to conduct a continuous study of lottery and gaming as it relates to the Commonwealth of Virginia" and listed the factors the board considers in licensing: character, honesty, business ability, and financial stability. Mr. Temple described the statutory and regulatory review and said the applicant met the relevant criteria.

The roll-call vote was recorded individually. Vice Chair Tolbert, Chief Galp, Mr. Trice, Mr. King, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Price and Chair Hammad each recorded "aye," and the chair announced the motion passed and the license was granted.

The staff packet summarized project details the board considered: a temporary casino with approximately 900 slot machines and 32 live-dealer table games, plans for a permanent facility projected to include roughly 1,700 slot machines and about 89 live tables, and a preliminary project cost estimated at about $600 million. Lottery staff said the permanent facility would be scheduled to open in late 2027 if timelines and approvals proceed as anticipated.

Next steps specified in the motion include completion of any outstanding operational matters to the deputy executive director's satisfaction and the statutory receipt of the required payment; the board also delegated authority for certain subsequent permit approvals to lottery compliance staff.

The board adjourned after the vote.