-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 D8oJLcnPYSgFln/PpRVpSFhQE4WtzphUB7flttZSNSqst31SNMByRFYpOrNgqPIx
 IvHdUK7XzvHdhrvxMFhI9A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000899647-06-000045.txt : 20060524
<SEC-HEADER>0000899647-06-000045.hdr.sgml : 20060524
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060524121735
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000899647-06-000045
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060524
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060524
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060524

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:			Lefever Mark
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001363808

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21430
		FILM NUMBER:		06863454

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		702-794-9527

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2901 LAS VEGAS BLVD SO.
		CITY:			LAS VEGAS
		STATE:			NV
		ZIP:			89109
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rhclefeverform3_052306ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-05-24</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000899647</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RIVIERA HOLDINGS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RIV</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001363808</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Lefever Mark</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2901 LAS VEGAS BLVD SO.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LAS VEGAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NV</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>89109</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Exec Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock par value $.001</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Mark LeFever</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-05-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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