Virginia Casino Revenue Jumps 17.6% In December 2022

Written By Russ Mitchell on January 13, 2023 - Last Updated on August 1, 2023
Virginia casino revenue Debember 2022

Virginia casino revenue closed out the year with a rebound and a new single-month record, according to numbers released Friday by the Virginia Lottery.

The gaming regulators still have just one site to draw taxes from. The only Virginia casino, Bristol Casino — Future Home of Hard Rock, reported nearly $14.9 million in adjusted gross revenue (AGR) to the state. That is a 17.6% increase from November.

Rivers Casino Portsmouth opens on Jan. 23, so its totals will soon be added to figures from the temporary casino in Bristol.

Bristol Casino (and Virginia’s) revenue so far:

  • July (opened on 7/8) — $11,717,478
  • August — $14,279,379
  • September — $14,305,177
  • October — $14,144,160
  • November — $12,650,361
  • December (new) — $14,879,037
  • Total — $81,975,592

The AGR factors in casino bets minus customer winnings and the state’s 18% tax assessment.

Get used to Virginia casino revenue records

December’s new mark should start a string of record revenue numbers from Virginia.

Altogether, four cities have the go-ahead to open a Virginia casino. Danville and Norfolk will open temporary casinos to join Bristol and the full-scale casino in Portsmouth as betting destinations.

The Virginia General Assembly convened on Wednesday. It could add Richmond and/or Petersburg as candidate casino cities as well.

There are currently 13 online sportsbooks in Virginia, but legal online casino bets aren’t an option in the state. A visit to Bristol is the only way customers can play a hand of poker or try a slot machine.

The Virginia Lottery offers online instant scratch games — many of those plays are similar to the casino offerings in Bristol.

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Slots, table games both up in December 2022 Virginia casino report

Both slot machine and table game revenue jumped up from November numbers. Slots are still the game of choice by far in Bristol.

Slot machine revenue

  • July — $10.2 million
  • August — $11.4 million
  • September — $11.3 million
  • October — $11.2 million
  • November — $10.4 million
  • December — $12.1 million

Table game revenue

  • July — $1.5 million
  • August — $2.8 million
  • September — $3 million
  • October — $2.9 million
  • November — $2.2 million
  • December — $2.7 million

Altogether, the casino raised almost $2.7 million in taxes for the state.

  • About $892,742 (6%) will go to a regional commission. The group can guide the money toward
    • public safety
    • transportation
    • and education
  • The state uses $21,426 from the December 2022 numbers for gambling treatment programs (0.8%)
  • Finally, the state directs $5,356 to the Family and Children’s Trust Fund (0.2%). The fund focuses on family violence treatment and prevention.

The amounts leave just under $1.8 million for the Gaming Proceeds Fund. State law directs betting revenue toward Virginia’s K-12 education program.

Photo by Shutterstock Image
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Russ Mitchell

Russ Mitchell covered news and sports in Iowa since 1997, including 11 years as managing editor for one of the most decorated community newspapers in the state. He joined PlayIA as a lead writer and managing editor in 2021. He anxious to explore the growing Virginia gaming industry.

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