Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies recently appointed Penny Parayo as senior vice president of operations and general manager for Live! Casino Virginia, the gaming facility scheduled to open in Petersburg by the end of the year.

Parayo, a gaming industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience, recently served as senior vice president of property operations for Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, Maryland. She has held other leadership roles with the Live! brand, including vice president of slot and beverage operations from 2013 to 2018.

In her new role, Parayo will oversee the development, opening and daily operations of the facility, which will serve as an interim casino while construction continues on the $1.4 billion project. The temporary venue will include approximately 75,000 square feet of gaming space, 900 slot machines, 33 live-action table games, a casino bar, a restaurant and free parking.

“We are incredibly fortunate as a company to have a leader as skilled and knowledgeable as Penny,” said Joe Billhimer, chief operating and development officer of Cordish Gaming Group.

Bruce Smith Enterprise and The Cordish Companies broke ground earlier this year on the permanent resort, which is expected to open in 2027. Bruce Smith, a Virginia native, Pro Football Hall of Famer and former NFL all-time sack leader, heads Bruce Smith Enterprise.

Upon completion, Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia will feature more than 450,000 square feet of gaming, hotel and dining space, along with 75,000 square feet of meeting and entertainment areas. Plans alsoinclude a 4,000-seat concert and event venue, a 200-room hotel with 20 suites, a resort pool and fitness center, 1,600 slot machines, 65 table games, a 22-table poker room, high-limit gaming areas, a sportsbook and 10 food and entertainment venues.

More information is available at valive.casino.