Hard Rock Bristol Becomes First Virginia Casino

Since July 8, Virginia residents have been able to enjoy the excitement of gambling in a physical casino, thanks to the highly anticipated grand opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol.

This temporary casino site is located in the former Belk department store of the old Bristol Mall. It is approximately one-third of the size that is expected for the permanent structure. The temporary casino measures 30,000 square feet and features nearly 870 slots, 21 gaming tables, and a sportsbook.

Hard Rock Casino Bristol: temporary, but full-service

In November 2020, Bristol voters gave their approval to Hard Rock’s proposal for constructing a casino resort within the city. Similarly, residents of Danville, Portsmouth, and Norfolk also supported the plans. Nevertheless, it was on April 27 that Hard Rock became the inaugural Virginia casino to be granted a license by the state’s lottery board.

Bristol Casino, while temporary, will provide a complete casino experience with its main casino floor, a designated non-smoking section, exclusive high-limit gaming areas, and a wide range of dining and beverage choices. These offerings comprise:

• Bristol Bar is a vibrant lounge that offers a perfect blend of sports and entertainment.
• Mr. Lucky’s: sit-down dining
• Introducing Brick’d: A convenient grab-and-go destination offering delicious brick-oven pizzas.

The introduction of the casino resulted in the generation of over 600 job opportunities, contributing to the growth of Virginia’s economy. However, the philanthropic initiatives didn’t end there. In honor of the casino’s grand opening, Hard Rock generously gifted a $100,000 donation to the United Way of Bristol TN/VA.

In a recent statement, Jon Lucas, the COO of Hard Rock International, expressed his appreciation for the team’s excitement about the future.

“We are thrilled to announce the upcoming opening of Bristol’s temporary casino. With Hard Rock’s iconic music heritage, it is a perfect match for our city, known as the ‘Birthplace of Country Music.’ The casino will offer exceptional gaming and dining facilities, positioning it as a premier entertainment hub for residents throughout the region. Additionally, we eagerly anticipate the grand opening of the permanent casino in the next two years, where Bristol will finally enjoy the complete and legendary Hard Rock experience.”

Virginia casino guests bet $37.5 million in first week

The casino’s initial financial reports indicated that Virginians were just as excited about the launch as Hard Rock.

According to the Bristol Herald Courier, the Virginia Lottery Board received a report from the casino on July 20. This report encompassed the period from July 5 to July 14, as the casino had organized some soft opening events before its official grand opening on July 8.

During its first week in Bristol, the casino’s adjusted gaming revenue amounted to $3.74 million, contributing over $673,000 in taxes.

The total amount wagered by casino visitors surpassed $37.5 million, resulting in winnings exceeding $33.7 million.

Breaking the money down into specific categories revealed that customers had better luck at the slot machines, as they managed to win back over 90 percent of their wagers. In contrast, the table games had a slightly lower winning rate of 87 percent. To provide more precise figures, a total of $34.57 million was wagered on slot machines, resulting in payouts amounting to $31.22 million.

The casino’s 21 table games received bets totaling $2.93 million, resulting in a payout of over $31.22 million in winnings.

According to officials, the revenue included a donation of $100,000 to United Way.

First permanent Virginia casino expected in 2024

The temporary structure of Hard Rock Bristol is located near Interstate 81 (Exit 1 in Virginia) just after crossing the Tennessee state line. It remains open round the clock, seven days a week.

It is highly probable that the permanent build of the casino will open in July 2024, as the current estimated completion time is 24 months. The venue will span 90,000 square feet and will operate continuously, being open 24/7.

In the first year, Hard Rock anticipates generating $150 million in revenue from the permanent structure, which will have positive impacts on both the state of Virginia and its casino employees. It is projected that around 1,500 new jobs will be created in the first year alone. Over a span of seven years, the number of positions at Hard Rock Casino and Resort is expected to grow to 5,200. Additionally, the average annual salary for these jobs will be approximately $46,500.

Besides the existing restaurants, the newly established Hard Rock Casino and Resort Bristol, costing $500 million, will include:

• The hotel boasts a total of 700 rooms.
• 20,000-seat, outdoor live-music venue
• 3,200-seat amphitheater
• retail shops
• spa
• pool

Officials have announced that the grand opening of the permanent site, which combines the musical legacies of Hard Rock and Bristol (the birthplace of country music), will pay homage to their profound musical heritage. In keeping with tradition, a ceremonial guitar smash will mark this special occasion.

However, Hard Rock Bristol will soon have company as Virginia’s casino scene expands. If everything goes according to plan, Rivers Portsmouth Casino Resort is set to open in early 2024, followed by Caesars Casino Resort Danville and HeadWaters Resort & Casino in the last quarter of 2024.