The Bristol Casino in Virginia, US, set to become the Hard Rock Casino, has marked a historic milestone by surpassing its previous revenue records in March, with an astonishing $16.3 million in adjusted gross income. This figure, released in a report by the Virginia Lottery, represents a remarkable 9% increase over its previous best month and a staggering 18% surge compared to March 2023.
Bristol Casino Breaks Records in Slot and Table Game Revenue
The Bristol Casino’s success is attributed to robust performances in both major categories of gaming. Slot machine revenue soared to unprecedented heights, crossing the $13 million mark for the first time ever, standing at $13,009,482, surpassing the previous record set in December 2023.
Meanwhile, table games also witnessed a significant surge, generating over $3 million in revenue for the first time, reaching $3,260,614, outperforming the previous high recorded in September 2022.
Comparing the March 2024 figures to those of the same period in 2023, the adjusted gross income experienced an impressive 18% hike. Moreover, it exceeded the average monthly revenue over the 20 months the casino has operated at its temporary location by a remarkable 19%.
Hard Rock officials had previously announced plans to unveil the newly constructed Bristol casino, alongside a 300-room hotel scheduled to open on-site by year-end. However, the opening timeline for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol was adjusted in February, with construction costs soaring to over $550 million, significantly higher than the initial projections of $300 million in 2019 and $400 million in 2022.
Despite the budget increase, construction remains on track for a summer opening, aiming for July.
Bristol Casino’s Revenue Surge Fuels Over $976,000 Payout to RIC
The significant revenue surge for The Bristol Casino translated into a substantial payout of $976,206 to the Regional Improvement Commission (RIC), representing over a dozen local governments in Southwest Virginia. The casino, taxed at 18%, allocates one-third of this amount to the RIC. Legislation mandates that these funds be utilized by local governments within the RIC to enhance transportation, education, and public safety infrastructure.
The RIC encompasses counties such as Lee, Scott, Wise, Dickenson, Buchanan, Russell, Washington, Smyth, Tazewell, Grayson, Bland, and Wythe, along with the cities of Bristol and Norton. Notably, the funds are distributed evenly among the 14 local governments, rather than being allocated on a population-adjusted basis.
The cumulative funds received by these localities now exceed an impressive $16.7 million, reflecting the significant economic impact generated by the Bristol Casino.With its groundbreaking revenue performance and ongoing expansion plans, the Bristol Casino continues to solidify its position as a key player in Virginia’s gaming landscape, promising further growth and prosperity for the region.