Hundreds of people braved windy, cold weather for hours Monday morning as they eagerly waited to step inside and spend some money at Hampton Roads’ first casino — and the state’s first permanent facility.

After an estimated $340 million investment and a little more than a year of construction, Rivers Casino Portsmouth officially opened its doors, which will remain open 24 hours per day year-round.

The casino project has moved quickly, getting a green light in 2020 from a successful ballot referendum. Construction began about a year later, and in November, the Virginia Lottery Board granted the operating license.

“Just 412 days ago, we stood at this very spot and we broke ground, right here in the 757,” said casino general manager Roy Corby during Monday’s grand opening event.