UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13G

                    Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                               (Amendment No. 2)*

                          Riviera Holdings Corporation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

                          Common Stock, $.001 par value
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                    769627100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                                December 31, 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

     Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this
Schedule is filed:

          [_]  Rule 13d-1(b)

          [x]  Rule 13d-1(c)

          [_]  Rule 13d-1(d)

----------
*    The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
     person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
     securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which
     would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

     The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of
the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see
the Notes).


CUSIP No. 769627100
          ---------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd.

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                         (a) [X]
                                                                         (b) [_]

3.   SEC USE ONLY

4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Cayman Islands

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     0

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     0

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                             [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     0.0%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     CO


CUSIP No. 769627100
          ---------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                         (a) [X]
                                                                         (b) [_]

3.   SEC USE ONLY

4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     0

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     0

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                             [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     0.0%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     CO


CUSIP No. 769627100
          ---------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     HMC Investors, L.L.C.

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                         (a) [X]
                                                                         (b) [_]

3.   SEC USE ONLY

4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     0

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     0

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                             [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     0.0%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     CO


CUSIP No. 769627100
          ---------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Harbert Management Corporation

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                         (a) [_]
                                                                         (b) [X]

3.   SEC USE ONLY

4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     Alabama

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     0

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     0

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                             [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     0.0%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     CO


CUSIP No. 769627100
          ---------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Philip Falcone

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                         (a) [_]
                                                                         (b) [X]

3.   SEC USE ONLY

4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     U.S.A.

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     0

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     0

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                             [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     0.0%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     IN


CUSIP No. 769627100
          ---------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Raymond J. Harbert

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                         (a) [_]
                                                                         (b) [X]

3.   SEC USE ONLY

4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     U.S.A.

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     0

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     0

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                             [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     0.0%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     IN


CUSIP No. 769627100
          ---------

1.   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
     I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

     Michael D. Luce

2.   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
                                                                         (a) [_]
                                                                         (b) [X]

3.   SEC USE ONLY

4.   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     U.S.A.

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH

5.   SOLE VOTING POWER

     0

6.   SHARED VOTING POWER

     0

7.   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

8.   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

     0

9.   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

     0

10.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES
     CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

                                                                             [_]

11.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9

     0.0%

12.  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     IN


CUSIP No. 769627100
          ---------

Item 1(a).  Name of Issuer:

            Riviera Holdings Corporation
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

      (b).  Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:

            2901 Las Vegas Boulevard South
            Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 2(a).  Name, Principal Business Address, and Citizenship of Persons Filing:

            Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - Cayman Islands
            c/o International Fund Services (Ireland) Limited
            Third Floor, Bishop's Square
            Redmond's Hill
            Dublin 2, Ireland

            Philip Falcone - U.S.A.
            555 Madison Avenue
            16th Floor
            New York, New York 10022
            United States of America

            Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - Delaware
            HMC Investors, L.L.C. - Delaware
            Harbert Management Corporation - Alabama
            Raymond J. Harbert - U.S.A.
            Michael D. Luce - U.S.A.
            2100 Third Avenue North, Suite 600
            Birmingham, Alabama 35203
            United States of America
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

      (d).  Title of Class of Securities:

            Common Stock, $.001 par value
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

      (e).  CUSIP Number:

            769627100
            --------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 3. If This Statement is filed pursuant to ss.240.13d-1(b) or
        240.13d-2(b), or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

     (a)  [_]  Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Exchange Act.

     (b)  [_]  Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Exchange Act.

     (c)  [_]  Insurance company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Exchange
               Act.

     (d)  [_]  Investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment
               Company Act.

     (e)  [_]  An investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);

     (f)  [_]  An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with
               Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);

     (g)  [_]  A parent holding company or control person in accordance with
               Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);

     (h)  [_]  A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal
               Deposit Insurance Act;

     (i)  [_]  A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an
               investment company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment
               Company Act;

     (j)  [_]  Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).

Item 4.  Ownership.

     Provide the following information regarding the aggregate number and
percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1.

     (a)  Amount beneficially owned:

          Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 0
          Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 0
          HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 0
          Harbert Management Corporation - 0
          Philip Falcone - 0
          Raymond J. Harbert - 0
          Michael D. Luce - 0
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (b)  Percent of class:

          Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 0.0%
          Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 0.0%
          HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 0.0%
          Harbert Management Corporation - 0.0%
          Philip Falcone - 0.0%
          Raymond J. Harbert - 0.0%
          Michael D. Luce - 0.0%
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

     (c)  Number of shares as to which the person has:

          (i)  Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:

          Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 0
          Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 0
          HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 0
          Harbert Management Corporation - 0
          Philip Falcone - 0
          Raymond J. Harbert - 0
          Michael D. Luce - 0

          (ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote:

          Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 0
          Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 0
          HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 0
          Harbert Management Corporation - 0
          Philip Falcone - 0
          Raymond J. Harbert - 0
          Michael D. Luce - 0

          (iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:

          Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 0
          Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 0
          HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 0
          Harbert Management Corporation - 0
          Philip Falcone - 0
          Raymond J. Harbert - 0
          Michael D. Luce - 0

          (iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:

          Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. - 0
          Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C. - 0
          HMC Investors, L.L.C. - 0
          Harbert Management Corporation - 0
          Philip Falcone - 0
          Raymond J. Harbert - 0
          Michael D. Luce - 0

Item 5.  Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

     If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date
hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than
five percent of the class of securities, check the following [X].

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 6.  Ownership of More Than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.

     If any other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to
direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, such
securities, a statement to that effect should be included in response to this
item and, if such interest relates to more than five percent of the class, such
person should be identified. A listing of the shareholders of an investment
company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the beneficiaries
of employee benefit plan, pension fund or endowment fund is not required.

          N/A
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired
        the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control
        Person.

     If a parent holding company or Control person has filed this schedule,
pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G), so indicate under Item 3(g) and attach an
exhibit stating the identity and the Item 3 classification of the relevant
subsidiary. If a parent holding company or control person has filed this
schedule pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c) or Rule 13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating
the identification of the relevant subsidiary.

          N/A
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 8.  Identification  and  Classification  of Members of the Group.

     If a group has filed this schedule pursuant to ss.240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J),
so indicate under Item 3(j) and attach an exhibit stating the identity and Item
3 classification of each member of the group. If a group has filed this schedule
pursuant to ss.240.13d-1(c) or ss.240.13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating the
identity of each member of the group.

          N/A
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 9.  Notice of Dissolution of Group.

     Notice of dissolution of a group may be furnished as an exhibit stating the
date of the dissolution and that all further filings with respect to
transactions in the security reported on will be filed, if required, by members
of the group, in their individual capacity. See Item 5.

          N/A
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------


Item 10.  Certification.

     (b)  The following certification shall be included if the statement is
          filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c):

          By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
          belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not
          held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing
          the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and
          are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction
          having such purpose or effect.

     After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.


Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd.
By: Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------


Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------


HMC Investors, L.L.C.

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------


Harbert Management Corporation

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------


/s/ Philip Falcone
---------------------
Philip Falcone


/s/ Raymond J. Harbert
---------------------
Raymond J. Harbert


/s/ Michael D. Luce
---------------------
Michael D. Luce

February 17, 2009


                                                                       Exhibit A

                                    AGREEMENT

The undersigned agree that this Schedule 13G, Amendment No. 2, dated February
17, 2009 relating to the Common Stock, $.001 par value of Riviera Holdings
Corporation shall be filed on behalf of the undersigned.


Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd.
By: Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------


Harbinger Capital Partners Offshore Manager, L.L.C.
By: HMC Investors, L.L.C., Managing Member

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------


HMC Investors, L.L.C.

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------


Harbert Management Corporation

By: /s/ Joel B. Piassick
------------------------


/s/ Philip Falcone
---------------------
Philip Falcone


/s/ Raymond J. Harbert
---------------------
Raymond J. Harbert

/s/ Michael D. Luce
---------------------
Michael D. Luce

SK 03773 0003 958286