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): September 18, 2002

                          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 September 18, 2002,  Riviera Holdings  Corporation  announced through a press
release that  management  is  presenting  at the Global Gaming Expo on Thursday,
September 19, 2002 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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

             (a) Not Applicable

             (b) Not Applicable

             (c) Exhibits

Exhibit 99        Press Release dated September 18, 2002

















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: September 18, 2002                         RIVIERA HOLDINGS CORPORATION


                                                     By: /s/ Duane Krohn
                                                     Treasurer and CFO













































                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number                 Description

  99       Press Release dated September 18, 2002.