The first was awarded in April to Bristol’s Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, which opened a temporary casino facility in July. The bill authorized casinos in five Virginia cities – Bristol, Portsmouth, Danville, Norfolk, and Richmond – pending approval by residents in a local voter referendum in each locality. The Bristol casino was the first to open because it had secured an existing location for the project, the former Bristol Mall. In just the first month of operation, the Bristol casino generated over $2 million to be shared among these localities. ‘Bristol Casino – Future Home of Hard Rock’ has already become a major tourism destination, befitting any property that is connected with the legendary Hard Rock brand owned by the Seminole Indians.

Source: Washington Post November 24, 2022 01:10 UTC