Hard Rock Bristol Draws 100,000 Visitors After Grand Opening

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol in Virginia is off to a phenomenal start, having welcomed over 100,000 guests since its grand opening on November 14. The venue saw nearly full occupancy during its debut weekend, with a staggering 99% of its rooms booked. During the same period, the casino disbursed $12 million in jackpots, including $7.3 million in its opening days alone. This marks a strong entry for the state’s second permanent casino, showcasing its potential as a key player in Virginia’s growing gambling industry.

Allie Evangelista, President of Hard Rock Bristol, expressed delight at the early success, highlighting how the turnout surpassed expectations. Speaking to the Bristol Herald-Courier, she shared, “It was much better than expectations in both visitation and revenues. Our jackpot payouts obviously correlate to the number of people in the building and how well everybody is perceiving the property. So much play generates more payouts.”

The grand opening also validated the leadership’s strategic decision to delay the facility’s launch. Originally scheduled for this past summer with a phased rollout, the plan was changed to ensure the full suite of amenities would be available from day one. Evangelista emphasized the positive reception from visitors, stating, “Feedback was amazing. Everybody is extremely impressed with the property, and it was exactly what we wanted to hear. We didn’t open the property early because we couldn’t open the full experience. Making the decision to delay the opening and have everything at once was the right decision, just based on guest feedback.”

The Hard Rock Bristol facility is now a cornerstone of Virginia’s casino landscape, joining Rivers Casino Portsmouth, which opened earlier this year. While Hard Rock was the first operator to receive a gaming license in the state in April 2022, it chose to take a more measured approach, prioritizing quality over speed. This strategy appears to have paid off, as its strong visitor numbers rival those of Rivers Portsmouth, which celebrated its one-millionth customer within five months of operation. Maintaining this momentum will be crucial for Hard Rock as it seeks to establish itself as a dominant presence in the regional market.

Virginia’s appetite for gambling is reflected in the growing success of its land-based casinos. In October 2024, the state’s three existing casinos—Rivers Portsmouth, Hard Rock’s temporary Bristol facility, and Caesars Virginia—generated $57 million in revenue, a 14.9% increase compared to the previous year. Although this figure falls short of the all-time high of $65.1 million set in March 2024, it underscores the steady growth of the industry. Hard Rock’s permanent facility is expected to boost these numbers even further in the coming months.

 

It was much better than expectations in both visitation and revenues. Our jackpot payouts obviously correlate to the number of people in the building and how well everybody is perceiving the property. So much play generates more payouts.

 

The Future

While online casinos and poker remain illegal in Virginia, other gaming options like sweepstakes casinos, social casinos, and online sports betting have kept players engaged. Despite the current limitations, the success of land-based casinos like Hard Rock Bristol demonstrates a strong demand for gambling in the state.

As Caesars Virginia prepares for its own launch later this month, the competition among casinos in the Old Dominion is heating up. The enthusiasm surrounding Hard Rock Bristol’s opening serves as a promising indicator of the industry’s potential. For now, all eyes are on whether the casino can sustain its remarkable pace and continue to set new benchmarks for success. With public interest and revenue steadily climbing, the future of gambling in Virginia looks bright.