Rivers Portsmouth Casino Resort Hires GM Ahead Of 2023 Grand Opening

Written By Chelsea T. Johnson on November 9, 2021 - Last Updated on August 1, 2023
Roy Corby

The long-awaited Rivers Portsmouth Casino Resort has found its new general manager, and he’s a familiar name in the gaming world.

In a Rush Street Gaming announcement, Roy Corby will be overseeing Rivers Portsmouth, which is set to open in 2023.

Corby brings more than 30 years of experience to the future Hampton Roads-area resort.

About new Rivers Portsmouth Casino GM Roy Corby

Before his position with the future Virginia casino, Corby served as the senior vice president of operations for global gaming solutions. In the position, he oversaw three full-service casinos.

Corby was also a property leader for Agua Caliente Resort & Casino in Palm Springs, CA; Sandia Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, NM; and The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WW.

As Roy Corby stated in the announcement:

“I’m thrilled to bring Rush Street’s proven model of state-of-the-art gaming, superior guest experience, Team Member development and community partnership to Portsmouth and Hampton Roads. I’ve seen firsthand the positive economic impact regional casinos have on their host cities, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Greg Carlin, CEO of Rush Street Gaming, weighed in on the hiring and said Corby has the needed skills.

“Roy’s multifaceted operations background, employee-engagement success and strategic marketing skills are perfectly suited for Rivers Casino Portsmouth,” he stated.

What to expect with Rivers Portsmouth

Rivers Portsmouth Casino Resort will anchor the city’s new Entertainment District, covering 50 acres of land on Victory Boulevard.

In addition to the property’s restaurants and a hotel, the casino will feature a full lineup of gaming options, including slot machines and table games.

It’ll also likely feature a BetRivers VA Sportsbook on the property for traditional retail (in-person) sports betting.

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Online Virginia sportsbooks, including BetRivers, have been operational since earlier this year. They’ve been taking legal wagers from players’ phones and computers throughout the commonwealth.

However, with a retail sportsbook at Rivers Portsmouth Casino, casino-goers will be able to experience a Las Vegas-style sportsbook experience, as well.

The Portsmouth casino development will create more than 1,300 new permanent local jobs and approximately 1,400 temporary construction jobs, according to officials. It’s also expected to generate an estimated $16 million in new annual tax revenue for Portsmouth.

Preliminary sitework is already underway on the casino. Officials have slated the grand opening for 2023.

Photo by Shutterstock / Dmitrijs Kaminskis
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Chelsea T. Johnson

Chelsea Johnson is a seasoned journalist with experience working as a reporter for WJAC-TV, 105.7 The Fan WJZ-FM, and FOX Sports Radio in Washington, DC. Her work also includes making an impact in the top newsrooms in the country at WBAL-TV in Baltimore and ESPN in Bristol, CT.

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