The first casino is soon to be introduced in Virginia.
Hard Rock Bristol has recently been granted Virginia’s first facilities operator’s license by the Virginia Lottery Board (VLB), following a unanimous vote (7-0).
Ferhan Hamid, the chairman of the board, expressed great satisfaction with the meticulous process undertaken by the VLB in choosing Hard Rock Bristol as Virginia’s inaugural casino. Hamid firmly believes in the decision made by himself and the other members of the board.
In his statement, he stated:
“Ever since its implementation by the 2020 general assembly, the board has made it their utmost priority that casino gaming in the Commonwealth is carried out with integrity and in a responsible fashion. Today’s approval serves as a testament to the trust we place in the meticulous and diligent evaluation performed by the Virginia Lottery staff.”
Hard Rock Bristol will now shift its attention towards a temporary location, collaborating with the lottery’s Gaming Compliance Department during the construction of the permanent casino.
Scheduled to open in early July, the Bristol Casino, also known as Bristol Casino, Future Home of Hard Rock, will be situated at the former Bristol Mall.
With the upcoming establishment of the state’s inaugural casino, it is possible that a conversation may emerge regarding the potential introduction of Virginia online casinos down the line.
About the new Hard Rock Bristol
This is what Virginia gamblers should anticipate at Hard Rock’s temporary location, spanning 30,000 square feet.
- 900 slot machines
- 20 table games
- Sportsbook
- High-limit gaming area
- Dining options include both traditional restaurant service and convenient grab-and-go options.
- Sports bar and entertainment lounge could be rewritten as “An establishment that combines the elements of a bar and lounge, with a focus on sports and entertainment.”
- Smoking sports lounge
Gina M. Smith, the executive director of gaming compliance at the Virginia Lottery, mentioned that her team will conduct routine inspections during the construction process and upon the arrival of gaming equipment.
Smith stated that they will be present at the casino for the following months, where they will observe the receipt of gaming equipment, review internal controls, and ensure complete compliance with the regulations.
Although an exact timeline has not been specified, the anticipated opening of the permanent casino is set for 2025.
Other Virginia casinos waiting approval
Applications for other Virginia casinos, including, are still under review by the Virginia Lottery Board.
- Caesars Entertainment in Danville
- Norfolk welcomes the presence of Rush Street Gaming.
- The Pamunkey Indian Tribe situated in Portsmouth.
There is currently no specified timeframe for the approval of gaming licenses for each entity by the VLB.
Voluntary exclusion program extended to casinos
In addition to the exciting news of Hard Rock Bristol’s opening, the VLB has also revealed improvements to its gambling control program.
Virginia residents have the option to participate in the voluntary exclusion program, also known as the self-exclusion program, which enables them to refrain from engaging in legal gambling activities. Individuals can choose to exclude themselves for a period of two years, five years, or even for their entire lifetime.
Once you have registered for the program online, your information will be forwarded by the lottery to the relevant Virginia betting commissions. These commissions are responsible for ensuring that you are prohibited from engaging in legal gambling within the state.
Upon enrollment in the program, participants are prohibited from engaging in gambling until the exclusion period expires. Any participant who fails to adhere to this restriction and continues to gamble will run the risk of forfeiting their winnings. Any prizes that are forfeited by participants will be donated by operators to the Commonwealth’s Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund.
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