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): January 16, 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 January 16, 2003,  Riviera Holdings  Corporation  announced through a press
release that Sean Sullivan, general manager of Riviera Black Hawk has left the
company. Ronald Johnson, President of Riviera Black Hawk, Inc. will serve as
interim general manager until a replacement is appointed.


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

             (a) Not Applicable

             (b) Not Applicable

             (c) Exhibits

Exhibit 99        Press Release dated January 16, 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: January 21, 2003                         RIVIERA HOLDINGS CORPORATION


                                                     By: /s/ Duane Krohn
                                                     Treasurer and CFO













































                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number                 Description

  99       Press Release dated January 16, 2003.