Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol is a future casino and hotel in Bristol, Virginia, slated to be officially open in 2024. Located at the former Bristol Mall, which operated from 1975–2017, the casino will utilize the existing facility and expand upon it with a hotel and outdoor amphitheater. On July 8, 2022, the temporary Bristol Casino had a soft open at the site.[1]
| Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol | |
|---|---|
| Location | Bristol, Virginia |
| Address | 500 Gate City Highway |
| Opening date | July 8, 2022 (temporary) |
| Total gaming space | 30,000 sq ft (2,800 m2) |
| Casino type | Land-based |
| Owner | Hard Rock International |
| Coordinates | 36°35′55″N 82°13′10″W / 36.59861°N 82.21944°W |
| Website | Official Site |
History
editIn 2020, the Virginia legislators passed a bill allowing the establishment of casinos, but limited to five eligible host cities of Portsmouth, Richmond, Norfolk, Danville, and Bristol. An additional condition was set that each city must hold a referendum on the question of whether to allow casino gaming in the city.[2] The legislation also establishes a commission tasked with distributing gaming tax revenues generated by one – Bristol – among the 12 counties and two cities within the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Bristol district.[3] In November 2020, Bristol voters approved the casino referendum, with 5,427 voting Yes (71%) to 2,221 voting No (29%).[4] Support for a casino in Bristol began in 2018 when two local coal barons, Jim McGlothlin and Clyde Stacy, publicly disclosed their plans to seek a change in state law so they can open a resort casino inside the former Bristol Mall, which closed in 2017.[3] In November 2019, Hard Rock International announced their partnership with the local ownership group, which includes McGlothlin and Stacy, to own and operate the new resort and casino.[5]
Hard Rock Casino announced in December 2021 that construction commenced on a temporary casino in the mall.[6] In April 2022, the Virginia Lottery Board issued a facility operator's license to Hard Rock Bristol to operate Virginia's first casino.[7] The temporary casino opened on July 8, 2022 as "Bristol Casino - Future Home of Hard Rock" at the former Bristol Mall in Bristol, Virginia. Bristol Casino will operate until construction is completed on the final Hard Rock Hotel Casino Bristol.[8]
In June 2023, PBS Appalachia Virginia announced that it would construct a 4,000 sq ft (370 m2) studio at the facility.[9]
Southwest Virginia Regional Improvement Commission
editThe Southwest Virginia Regional Improvement Commission (RIC) is represented by 12 counties; Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe; and the cities of Bristol and Norton. Each county and city appoints one member that is to serve a two-year term. The purpose of the RIC is to distribute gaming tax revenues generated from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol; these are received in quarterly disbursements from the Virginia Lottery. Code of Virginia 58.1-4107.1 stipulates that funds must go to priorities that are to be related to education, transportation, and public safety.[10][11]
References
edit- ^ Overton, Rodney (July 25, 2022). "New Virginia casino near NC line rakes in $37.5 million in wagers in 1st week". Raleigh, NC: WNCN. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ^ "SB 36 Lottery Board; regulation and control of casino gaming, definitions". Virginia General Assembly. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- ^ a b McGee, David (July 9, 2022). "Two Bristol business leaders gambled on a crazy idea and won". Bristol Herald Courier. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- ^ "Bristol, Virginia voters approve casino referendum". Johnson City, TN: WJHL-TV. November 4, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- ^ "Hard Rock International Announces Plans For Hard Rock Casino Bristol" (Press release). Hollywood, FL: Hard Rock Cafe. November 25, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- ^ "Hard Rock Kicks Off Construction Plans for its Temporary Casino in Bristol, Virginia" (Press release). Hard Rock Cafe. December 9, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ^ Thomas, Pat (April 27, 2022). "Hard Rock Bristol gets license to operate Virginia's first casino". Roanoke, TN: WDBJ. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- ^ Moore, Mackenzie (July 8, 2022). "Bristol Casino opens doors to public for 1st time". WJHL-TV. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ^ Winslow, George (June 9, 2023). "PBS Appalachia Virginia Launches First All-Digital Public TV Station". TVTechnology. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
- ^ Waters, Marina (August 25, 2022). "Southwest Virginia leaders prepare for Bristol Casino tax payments". Kingsport Times-News. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- ^ "§ 58.1-4107.1. Regional Improvement Commission". Virginia General Assembly. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
External links
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