8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

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

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 23, 2009

RIVIERA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada	000-21430	88-0296885
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
2901 Las Vegas Boulevard Las Vegas, Nevada		89109
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (702) 794-9237

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02.  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Effective February 23, 2009, Jeffrey A. Silver voluntarily resigned from the Board of Directors of Riviera Holdings Corporation (the “Company”).  Mr. Silver resigned from the Company’s Board of Directors for personal reasons and not due to any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its operations, policies or practices.

A copy of Mr. Silver’s resignation letter, dated February 23, 2009, is attached to this Report as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)  Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Exhibits
17.1	Letter of Resignation by Jeffrey A. Silver, dated February 23, 2009.

SIGNATURE

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

Date: February 27, 2009	RIVIERA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
	By:	/s/ Phillip B. Simons
		Phillip B. Simons
		Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

EX-17.1

Exhibit 17.1

[LETTERHEAD]

February 23, 2009

VIA FACSIMILE: 702-794-9560

William Westerman, Chairman/CEO

Riviera Holdings Corporation ("RHC")

2901 Las Vegas Boulevard South

Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Re:  Resignation from the Board of Directors

Dear Bill,

It is with great regret that I am tendering my resignation, effective immediately, as a Member of the RHC Board. I have enjoyed our friendship and the camaraderie we shared with fellow Board Members and the dedicated Riviera executives. As we face the considerable challenges ahead, I wish you every success in confronting these difficult economic times. If there is anything I can do to assist, please do not hesitate to call.

Kindest regards,

/s/ Jeffrey A. Silver

Jeffrey A. Silver

cc: Tulio Marchionne, Esq.