Exhibit 32.1
                          RIVIERA HOLDINGS CORPORATION


                                  CERTIFICATION


In  connection  with Form 10-Q of Riviera  Holdings  Corporation  for the period
ending March 31, 2006 (the  "Report") as filed with the  Securities and Exchange
Commission,  I,  William L.  Westerman,  hereby  certify as of the date  hereof,
solely for the  purposes  of Title 18,  Chapter 63,  section  1350 of the United
States Code, that to the best of my knowledge:

1)       The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
         15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and

2)       The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
         material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
         Riviera Holdings Corporation (the "Company") at the dates and for the
         periods indicated.

A signed original of this written statement or other document authenticating,
acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form
within the electronic version of this written statement has been provided to the
Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and
Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

This Certification has not been, and shall not be deemed, "filed" with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

Date:  May 10, 2006
                                              /s/ William L. Westerman
                                              -------------------------------
                                              Chief Executive Officer
                                              and interim Treasurer and
                                              Chief Financial Officer