Bristol Casino — Future Home of Hard Rock set a new high mark with $14.3 million in revenue, according to the August 2022 Virginia casino report.
Virginia Lottery officials released the latest numbers on Thursday. Keep in mind, Bristol Casino remains the only Virginia casino in operation. That will change soon.
For now, Hard Rock officials set up the temporary gaming area in a former Belk department store at Bristol Mall. The entire mall will eventually become Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol. The city is right at the Virginia and Tennessee border.
The $500 million permanent casino will feature:
- 700 rooms in its hotel
- 20,000-seat, outdoor live-music venue
- 3,200-seat amphitheater
- retail shops
- spa
- pool
Virginia casino customers started placing bets July 8 in Bristol. The site generated $11.7 million in its three weeks of operation in July.
Revenue up 22% in August
The $14.3 million collected in August is up 22% from the July total.
Slot machines once again dominated the revenue total from Bristol. The casino went from 870 machines to 891 between the end of July and the end of August.
Slot machine revenue
- July — $10.2 million
- August — $11.4 million
Table game revenue
- July — $1.5 million
- August — $2.8 million
August 2022 Virginia Casino haul adds $2.8 million to tax base
Altogether, the casino raised $2.8 million in taxes for the state.
- About $857,000 (6%) will go to a regional commission. The group can guide the money toward
- education
- transportation
- and public safety
- The state uses another $20,562 for gambling treatment programs (0.8%)
- Finally, the state uses $5,141 for the Family and Children’s Trust Fund (0.2%). The fund focuses on family violence treatment and prevention.
More Virginia casino revenue ahead
Up to five Virginia cities can add a casino. Costs can change numbers, but the casino projects add up to more than a $2.5 billion investment in Virginia.
Here’s a look at the other four plans:
- $300 million — Rivers Portsmouth Casino Resort. It should be the first permanent casino to open.
- $500 million — HeadWaters Resort and Casino in Norfolk. They will open a temporary casino first.
- $565 million — One Resort + Casino in Richmond (if approved in 2023).
- $650 million — Caesars Virginia Casino. The city just broke ground in Danville.