The Bristol Casino will be open 24/7, offering 870 slots, 21 tables, and a sportsbook. A line of customers wrapped around the building as they waited for Friday’s grand opening, TV station WDBJ reported.
In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly approved legislation to allow developers to build large casino resorts in five cities — Norfolk, Bristol, Portsmouth, Danville, and Richmond — in what supporters billed as a way to boost struggling economies.Potential operators had to first clear a voter referendum. That happened in every city but Richmond, which rejected the initiative last year. But city officials have mounted an effort to bring the issue back a second time.
Developers eventually plan to open a $400 million resort and Hard Rock casino, with a hotel, restaurants, bars and lounges, and a concert venue. The full-scale project is expected to open in 2024 and employ 1,200 people.The initial location has 600 employees, local news outlets reported.