Two Full Casino Resorts Open By Year’s End in Virginia

By Keith Stein,
Editor at online-gambling.com

Keith Stein Editor at online-gambling.com

As a self-starter and goal-driven, Keith took up freelance writing in 1994 and within a few years moved into a full-time journalist position in 1997 in Washington, D.C. In recent years, he has published over 100 articles that focus on gambling news, reviews, and tips and tricks to give the player a slight advantage.

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

More About Keith Stein

Last updated: August 19, 2024

Top-tier casino operators Caesars Entertainment and Hard Rock International plan to open full resorts by the year’s end in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Both companies have been operating temporary casinos for the time being, Hard Rock’s Bristol Casino opened in July 2022 with Caesars Virginia’s Danville Casino following in May 2023.

Caesars Virginia Grand Opening

The Caesars Virginia casino resort in Danville is aiming for an early December opening, according to one Caesars Entertainment executive.

During a New Jersey Casino Control Commission meeting in Atlantic City last week, Caesars Entertainment Regional President-East Barron Fuller told members of the commission Caesars Virginia will open “around Dec. 2.” Fuller is the new east regional president for Caesars Entertainment who will oversee the company’s properties in New Jersey, Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia.

According to the latest Virginia Lottery report on casino gaming activity, the Danville Casino temporary location generated $18.8 million in adjusted gross revenue (AGR) in July with the state collecting $3.3 million in taxes. The facility, nicknamed by some as “the tent,” features 826 slot machines, 36 table games, several Caesars Sportsbook kiosks, one restaurant, and a high-limit area.

Once complete, the full $750 million Caesars Virginia resort will feature a 320-room hotel, 1,300 slot machines, 85 table games, 24 electronic table games, a full Caesars Sportsbook, and a World Series of Poker Room.

On the non-gaming side, the resort will host a full-service spa, an outdoor pool, a 2,500-seat live concert theater, 50,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, and a variety of restaurants. The temporary Danville Casino will close once the full resort opens.

Hard Rock Targets Grand Opening in Late Fall

The grand opening of the full resort Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol was planned for July, two years after the opening of the temporary Bristol Casino. In June, Hard Rock International announced they were taking some extra time to prepare for the grand opening and set late fall as a new target.

Hard Rock’s temporary Bristol Casino currently features 915 slot machines and 29 table games for visitors. The facility generated $14.8 million in AGR in July, according to the Virginia Lottery. The state collected $2.6 million in taxes from gaming revenue in July.

Located at 500 Gate City Highway at the site of the former Bristol Mall, the temporary facility has restaurants, a Rock Shop, a live band bar, a non-smoking gaming room, a high-limit gaming room, and a Hard Rock Bet sportsbook. The temporary Bristol Casino has welcomed visitors from all 50 U.S. states since opening in 2022.

The full Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol resort will feature a hotel, restaurants, bars, a 3,200-seat Hard Rock Live venue, a 20,000-person outdoor entertainment venue, and a country western nightlife experience. The resort will also feature a Rock Spa and Body Rock fitness center, a convention and meeting space, and country music memorabilia.

First Permanent Casino in Virginia

A third casino operating in Virginia, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, bypassed plans for a temporary casino plan and opened the state’s first permanent casino in January 2023. The facility operates 1,389 slot machines and 85 table games and generated over $25 million in AGR in July.

Rivers Casino Portsmouth features restaurants, bars, a high-limit gaming area, BetRivers Sportsbook, a concert venue, and a poker room.

A hotel is coming soon, according to the casino’s website. For now, the facility has partnerships with 10 local hotels for guests.