PORTSMOUTH, Va. — On January 23, 2023, the doors of Rivers Casino Portsmouth opened for the first time to the public. Now one year later, casino executives are celebrating what they call a year of success by giving back to those right here in Portsmouth.
“I’m thrilled with how the year has gone,” said Roy Corby, the general manager for Rivers Casino Portsmouth.
A line of people waited hours on opening day eager to hit the slot machines.
“It’s been amazing from groundbreaking through the ribbon cutting on opening day to now,” Corby said. "Just trying to open up, trying to staff up and train 1,100 to 1,300 staff members who had never stepped foot in a casino let alone worked in a casino. All the while, building a relationship and partnership with the city."
“One of our foundations is being a company that cares about its community and trying to make a difference here,” he said.
Tuesday, they delivered two $10,000 checks to the Portsmouth Police Athletic League (PAL) and Portsmouth Safety Town, both in partnership with the Portsmouth Police Department.
“From groundbreaking day, they made sure that their public relations office was in contact with the police department," said PAL Coordinator Sergeant Allen Washington. "But not just the police department, anything within the community.”
The Police Athletic League has a 90-year history of caring and providing alternatives for youth at risk. According to their site, the program builds friendships between lawn enforcement and children in the community.
Wilbur Douglass, the president of the Portsmouth PAL board of directors, says this money will offset costs for children participating in PAL activities.
“They’re expensive and cost a lot. This is really going to go for their costs,” he said.
Bruce LaLonde is the president of the Safety Town Advisory Committee which oversees Portsmouth Safety Town. It’s a facility used to teach young children about safety.
LaLonde says the $10,000 from Rivers Casino Portsmouth will help to build a mini Portsmouth Police Station.
“Gun awareness right now, that kind of violence, is around us," LaLonde said. "We need to plant the seed as early as we can that public safety people are here to help you.”
“It’s important for children to know how to be safe in their environment and that there is a safe place for them to go when they have questions," Corby said. "So, this was a special place for us today.”
To date, officials with Rivers Casino Portsmouth said they've dedicated over 1,000 volunteer hours and donated more than $861,000 to local nonprofit organizations.