The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol generated more than $18 million in adjusted gross revenues from slots and table games in November, its first month in its permanent location in the western part of Virginia.
Impressive Start
Operations wound down in the Hard Rock Bristol’s temporary facility in October, and the permanent facility didn’t swing open its doors until the middle of November. However, its adjusted gross revenue of $18.1 million in 17 days shattered the previous monthly high of $16.3 million set in March 2024.
The state was the beneficiary of that lofty debut month in its permanent digs with a check for $3.2 million into its tax coffers because of it. Of that, approximately $1.1 million was earmarked for the Regional Improvement Commission (RIC), which is funded by a dozen communities in southwestern Virginia, including Bristol, which is a communal effort to fund public improvement projects, education, transportation, and safety.
The remaining $2.1 million will stay in the Gaming Proceeds Fund, $26,000 will be set aside for problem gambling resources, and $6,500 will be directed to the Family and Children’s Trust Fund.
Grand Opening
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol is Virginia’s second casino but its first hotel and casino combination. In other words, it is not just a place to gamble but a destination. And perhaps that is why people flocked to Bristol on November 14 for the grand opening of the $515 million, 620,000-square-foot Las Vegas-style casino resort.
“We certainly knew Bristol had this amazing legacy that we could build upon,” Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen said. “Going back to the history of music and obviously country music, so that’s very important.”
Therefore, it was only fitting that country music star Blake Shelton performed at the grand opening as guests partied well into the evening. Boasting nearly 1500 slot machines and 62 table games equipped with live dealers, there is no shortage of action at the newly-minted permanent location.
The economic impact has been immediately felt as well, according to Bristol Virginia City Manager Randy Eads, who said, “While the temporary casino was here, they were employing 600 people. Now they have close to 1,400 people; it’s truly amazing for what it’s doing for the people of our region that want a good-paying job with a world-recognized company.”
“For the city itself, specifically, we’re getting gaming tax just from the gaming revenue,” Eads said. “That is something that we have never had before, where we’re getting about $650,000 a year for that, and that’s just from the temporary casino.”
CEO and President of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Bristol Allie Evangelista, shared her company’s commitment to giving back to the community they serve.
“We have so many people suffering from the impact of the hurricane, and we work with the Red Cross. We thought this is the right thing,” said Evangelista. “We want to get our community on their feet and rebuild their homes. We can make whatever money they need to get back into their beautiful lives, and then they can come here and enjoy with us.”
