Bristol Casino — Future Home of Hard Rock turned in steady numbers for the month, according to the September 2022 Virginia casino revenue report released Friday.
The Virginia Lottery tracks betting revenue and taxes for the state. The temporary casino in Bristol generated $14.3 million last month. The adjusted gross revenue total is nearly identical to August totals.
Four Virginia casinos, including a much larger, permanent venue in Bristol, are under construction. For now, the future home of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol is the only casino taking bets in the state. Its revenue so far:
- July (opened on 7/8) — $11,717,478
- August — $14,279,379
- September — $14,305,177
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.
Slots slide, table games tick up in September 2022 casino revenue
Virginia bettors may be getting more comfortable with the table games as the industry takes shape in Bristol. Slot machine revenue was slightly down from a month ago. A modest gain in table game profits helped September 2022 Virginia casino revenue set a new mark, however.
Overall, slot machine plays still drive profits at Bristol Casino.
Slot machine revenue
- July — $10.2 million
- August — $11.4 million
- September — $11.3 million
Table game revenue
- July — $1.5 million
- August — $2.8 million
- September — $3 million
Altogether, the casino raised $2.6 million in taxes for the state.
- The state uses another $20,600 for gambling treatment programs (0.8%)
- About $858,000 (6%) will go to a regional commission. The group can guide the money toward
- education
- transportation
- and public safety
- Finally, the state uses $5,150 for the Family and Children’s Trust Fund (0.2%). The fund focuses on family violence treatment and prevention.
Looking beyond September 2022 casino revenue
Virginia will have four casinos soon, but the number could grow to five. The Virginia General Assembly and Richmond voters are the wild cards.
First, Richmond needs to fend off a bid from Petersburg in the next legislative session. If that goes well, voters in Richmond must then approve a new plan.
Here’s a look at the five plans:
- $300 million — Rivers Portsmouth Casino Resort. It should be the first permanent casino to open.
- $500 million — Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol. As we told you, developers are making progress at the mall site.
- $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 Danville Casino. The city just broke ground in Danville.