The city of Bristol, Virginia recently approved the initial plans for transforming the former Bristol Mall into a temporary Hard Rock Bristol casino. Voters approved allowing gambling in the city on November 3, 2020.
Hard Rock spokesman Andy Poarch said, “We have submitted a demolition plan to the city. This plan relates to preliminary site evaluation work at the mall that we need to complete before finalizing our design for the temporary casino. We continue to work closely with the Virginia Lottery on next steps for construction of the temporary gaming facility, and planning for the permanent one. We appreciate the ongoing cooperation and assistance from local and state officials for all necessary permitting and licensing requirements.”
The $400 million casino resort will offer a gaming floor with 1,500 slots and 55 table games at first, expanding to 2,700 slots and 100 table games, plus a 300-room hotel, seven restaurants, four bars, a 3,200-seat performance venue, an outdoor entertainment venue, retail space, convention facilities and more. It’s expected to employ 1,000 to 2,000 people when completed.
Lottery Deputy Director of Gaming Compliance Gina Smith said her office has received applications for facility operator, principal entity, manufacturer and major and minor vendors. She said she anticipates receiving “thousands of applications” in the near future.
The reviews are taking place under the state’s emergency regulations while proposed permanent gaming regulations are undergoing a 60-day public comment period that ends December 24. If the lottery board approves those regulations at its January 2022 meeting, the governor’s office would be required to issue final approval. The regulations must be in place by October 2022.
Meanwhile, in Portsmouth, Mayor Shannon Glover announced ground would be broken for the $300 million Rivers Casino Portsmouth on Tuesday, December 7. Developers Rush Street Gaming said site preparation actually began in August.
The venue will include a casino, hotel and event center and prove 1,400 construction jobs and 1,300 permanent jobs. Rivers is expected to generate $16 million in tax revenue each year and produce more than $200 million for Hampton and Portsmouth annually.
