On Wagner Road, alongside Interstate 95, lies a white tent with 75,000 square feet of space inside. Tables for more than 30 games are being put inside now, and more than 900 slot machines will go under the tent next month. 

Then, in January, Petersburg’s first (temporary) casino is slated to open under that tent. 

“We’re super excited,” said Renee Mutchnik, communications vice president for Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia. “We have a free dealer school. It’s a four-week class. We’re teaching blackjack for four weeks and then afterwards we’ll review and audition the dealers and hopefully offer them jobs and a career in gaming.” 

The company estimates the temporary casino will generate about 500 jobs. Casino officials estimate a total economic stimulus of $504 million in Central Virginia during the permanent casino’s first decade of operations; that includes about $240 million directly to the city of Petersburg. 

Petersburg has had its share of economic problems over the decades, including the closure of several factories. The casino referendum passed in 2024 with more than 80% of the vote. 

And while there have been critics who’ve pointed out that the revenue spikes created by casinos levels off over time — and that they can foster problem gambling and addiction — Jessica Skinner, the casino’s finance director, said the resort is going to jump-start Petersburg’s economy. 

“I’ve always seen business ramp up,” she said Tuesday during a turkey giveaway at a Petersburg food bank. “Your restaurants are going to start staying open longer; hotels are going to start accommodating more or being built more.” 

The permanent version of the casino, which will include a resort and restaurants, is expected to generate about 1,400 full-time jobs. It will be nearly 500,000 square feet and is slated to open at the end of 2027.