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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000899647-03-000029.txt : 20030717
<SEC-HEADER>0000899647-03-000029.hdr.sgml : 20030717
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030717115711
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000899647-03-000029
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030715
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030717

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RIVIERA HOLDINGS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000899647
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOTELS & MOTELS [7011]
		IRS NUMBER:				880296885
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2901 LAS VEGAS BLVD SOUTH
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89109
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7027345110

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2901 LAS VEGAS BLVD S
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89109

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KROHN DUANE
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001237331

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21430
		FILM NUMBER:		03790664

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1701 MORA LANE
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89102
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7028732977

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1701 MORA LANE
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89102
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rhckrohnform4_071503ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- - EDGAR Ease Plus 1.0                                   04/22/03  TZ    -->
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
   <periodOfReport>2003-07-15</periodOfReport>
   <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000899647</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RIVIERA HOLDINGS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>Riv</issuerTradingSymbol>
   </issuer>
   <reportingOwner>
      <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001237331</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KROHN DUANE</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
         <isDirector>0</isDirector>
         <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
         <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
         <isOther>0</isOther>
         <officerTitle>Treasurer and CFO</officerTitle>
       </reportingOwnerRelationship>
   </reportingOwner>
   <derivativeSecurity>
      <securityTitle>
         <value>Common Stock par value $.001 per share</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
         <value>5.25</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <transactionDate>
         <value>2003-07-15</value>
      </transactionDate>
      <transactionCoding>
         <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
         <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
         <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
      </transactionCoding>
      <transactionAmounts>
         <transactionShares>
           <value>10000</value>
         </transactionShares>
         <transactionValue>
           <value>52500</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
         </transactionValue>
         <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
           <value>A</value>
         </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
      </transactionAmounts>
      <exerciseDate>
         <value>2003-07-15</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
         <value>2013-07-15</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
         <underlyingSecurityTitle>
           <value>Common Stock par value $.001 per share</value>
         </underlyingSecurityTitle>
         <underlyingSecurityShares>
           <value>10000</value>
         </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <postTransactionAmounts>
         <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
           <value>60000</value>
         </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
      </postTransactionAmounts>
      <ownershipNature>
         <directOrIndirectOwnership>
           <value>D</value>
         </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
   </derivativeSecurity>
   <footnotes>
<footnote id="F1"> Exersie Date 25% on 7/15/03, 50% on 7/15/04, 75% on 7/15/05, 100% on 7/15/06</footnote>

<footnote id="F2"> Qualified stock Option Plan</footnote>
   </footnotes>
   <ownerSignature>
      <signatureName>DUANE R. KROHN</signatureName>
      <signatureDate>2003-07-15</signatureDate>
   </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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