8-K

                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    Form 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934

         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 19, 2003

                          RIVIERA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
             (exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


    Nevada                  000-21430                         88-0296885
(State of                  (Commission                      (IRS Employer
Incorporation)             File Number)                    Identification No.)


2901 Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, Nevada                                                 89109
(Address of principal office)                                  (Zip code)

Registrant's Telephone number,                               (702) 794-9527
    including area code

Item 5. Other Events

On November 19, 2003, Riviera Holdings Corporation announced through a press
release that the Riviera has lost its bid for a Racino in Hobbs, New Mexico.

Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

             (a) Not Applicable

             (b) Not Applicable

             (c) Exhibits

Exhibit 99  Riviera Holdings Corporation Press Release dated November 19, 2003

















SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this  report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: November 20, 2003                       RIVIERA HOLDINGS CORPORATION


                                                By: /s/ Duane Krohn
                                                Treasurer and CFO













































                              EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number                         Description

  99       Riviera Holdings Corporation Press Release dated November 19, 2003.

EX-99

                          Riviera Holdings Corporation
                         2901 Las Vegas Boulevard South
                              Las Vegas, NV 89109
                       Investor Relations: (800) 362-1460
                               TRADED: AMEX - RIV
                               www.theriviera.com




FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
AT THE COMPANY:                                INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
Duane Krohn, Treasurer and CFO                 Betsy Truax, Skorpus Consulting
(702) 794-9527 Voice                           (208) 241-3704 Voice
(702) 794-9442 Fax                             (208) 232-5317 Fax
Email:  dkrohn@theriviera.com                  Email:   etruax@aol.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:


                    RIVIERA LOSES BID FOR NEW MEXICO RACINO


         Las Vegas, NV (November 19, 2003) - Riviera Holdings Corporation
(AMEX:RIV) announced today that it will write off its $1.3 million investment in
Riviera, Newton, Reston, LLC ("RNR"), which is 51 percent owned by Riviera's
wholly owned subsidiary, Riviera Gaming Management New Mexico. RNR was one of
four applicants who presented projects to the New Mexico Racing Commission last
week. Today, the Commission announced that it had awarded the project for the
racino in Hobbs, New Mexico to another applicant. As a result, Riviera will take
a charge to earnings of approximately ($0.37) per share in the fourth quarter
ending December 31, 2003.

Safe Harbor Statement

         The forward-looking statements included in this news release, which
reflect management's best judgment based on factors currently known to it,
involve risks and uncertainties including expansion objectives and timetables,
hotel and casino market conditions, financing requirements, regulatory approvals
and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Report on
Form 10-K for December 31, 2002 and Forms 10-Q and 8-K filed during 2003. Actual
results may differ materially.

About Riviera Holdings

         Riviera Holdings Corporation owns and operates the Riviera Hotel and
Casino on the Las Vegas Strip and the Riviera Black Hawk Casino in Black Hawk,
Colorado. Riviera is traded on the American Stock Exchange ("AMEX") under the
symbol RIV. The Riviera continues its dialogue with AMEX relating to the
maintenance of its listing status.

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