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): May 17, 2005

                          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

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))


Section 8 - Other Events
Item 8.01. Other Events

On May 17, 2005,  announced through a press release that management would 
present at the Bear Stearns 14th Annual Global Credit Conference on Wednesday,
May 18, 2005 in New York City.

Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit 99  Riviera Holdings Corporation Press Release dated May 17, 2005

















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: May 17, 2005                            RIVIERA HOLDINGS CORPORATION


                                                By: /s/ Duane Krohn
                                                Treasurer and CFO

 











































                              EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number                         Description

  99       Riviera Holdings Corporation Press Release dated May 17, 2005.