A temporary, full-service casino in Bristol will open July 8 while construction continues on the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Bristol, the developer announced Wednesday.
Chief Operating Officer of Hard Rock International Jon Lucas said in a press release, “As Virginia’s first casino, ‘Bristol Casino – Future Home of Hard Rock’ will be a wonderful addition to the Hard Rock global portfolio of dining, hotel and entertainment properties. I am pleased by the significant progress that Allie Evangelista and her team are making towards a July 8 Grand Opening celebration for Bristol.”
According to the release, the temporary casino will feature 900 slots, 20 tables, and a sportsbook. The facility will also include a restaurant and a Hard Rock store. According to PlayVirginia, the permanent location is expected to open in late 2022, although the full capacity won’t be available immediately. After completion, the permanent casino will feature 2,700 slots, 750 hotel rooms, seven restaurants, and two entertainment venues, according to the project’s website.
Virginia’s legalization of casinos has created a situation where four casinos will come online in 2022 and 2023. Earlier in March 500 Nations reported that developers of the Headwaters and Resort Casino in Norfolk are also looking at constructing a temporary facility. While Bristol is on the extreme western end of Virginia, far from the other casino locations, the Headwaters casino, scheduled to open in late 2023, will be relatively close to the Rivers Casino Portsmouth, scheduled to open in early 2023. The Danville Caesars Casino is also expected to open in 2023, according to 500 Nations.
On March 23, The Virginian-Pilot reported that the Virginia Lottery hasn’t yet granted licenses to any of the casinos — a necessary first step before they can begin operating. In January, the Virginia Lottery reported that they’re meeting on a monthly basis with Hard Rock Bristol.
“These meeting have included touring the Bristol location, reviewing and approving construction plans and working with the various teams (e.g., security and surveillance) to discuss overall operations,” the board reported.
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
