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Virginia’s first permanent casino, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, has finally announced its opening date.
After a summer delay, the casino will officially open its doors on Nov. 14. Initially scheduled for a July launch, Hard Rock Bristol’s grand opening was pushed back.
The casino revealed its grand opening entertainment schedule to mark the milestone for Virginia’s gaming industry, WJHL reported. The highlights include a Hard Rock guitar smash ceremony and a concert by country music icon Blake Shelton at the Hard Rock Live venue.
Key takeaways
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, Virginia’s first permanent casino, opens on Nov. 14, according to WJHL.
- The 620,000-square-foot facility will include about 1,500 slot machines.
- The permanent facility will nearly double the current workforce from 791 to 1,400 employees.
Features of the permanent Hard Rock Bristol casino facility
Located at 500 Gate City Highway in Bristol, Virginia, the 620,000-square-foot casino will include:
- 1,500 slot machines
- Over 50 table games
- A sportbook
- A 303-room hotel
- Varieties of dining options including a Hard Rock Cafe
- Multiple shopping areas
Jon Lucas, Hard Rock International’s chief operations officer, who announced the opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, touted the city’s musical heritage, according to WJHL: “We are thrilled to open Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol.
“Hard Rock’s rich history fits perfectly with Bristol’s distinction as the ‘Birthplace of Country Music.’ Both the Hard Rock brand and the new hotel and casino are rooted in great music.
“With this property, Bristol — and the entire region — have a new major entertainment destination, filled with gaming, exciting food and beverage offerings, live entertainment, and world-class service for all visitors. Hard Rock is proud to open this amazing facility to serve the residents and visitors to the Tri-Cities area.”
Hard Rock Bristol casino sees $15.9 million in August revenue
Having opened its temporary casino facility in Virginia in 2022, the casino has built its customer base, contributed to the state, donated over $960,000 to local community non-profits, and paid taxes over $66,000,000 in gaming since its inception.
From Virginia’s recent revenue report in August 2024, Hard Rock Bristol summed up its adjusted gaming revenue to $15.9 million from 905 slots and 29 table games. This was a slight increase from the preceding month with an AGR of $14.8 million.
With this upward trend and the new, bigger facilities, it is with hopes that expert ratings suggest the permanent facility is positioned to rake in more revenue for both the state and the casino.
Another perk of moving to a bigger facility is creating job opportunities. As the Hard Rock Bristol Virginia Casino gears up for the grand opening, it will be hiring.
Currently, the resort has around 791 employees, but it is looking to nearly double that number to 1,400. Allie Evangelista, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, said: “I am so proud of everyone who has helped us prepare for the grand opening.”
“Our incredible Hard Rock team has worked so hard to reach this milestone moment, and we have been inspired by the amazing from the Bristol community.
“This new facility will offer the world-class entertainment and dining that Hard Rock is recognized for across the globe. We invite you to come check out the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, whether to game, dine, or relax.”
