The new Hard Rock Bristol Casino in Virginia, opened earlier this month as a temporary venue ahead of the upcoming full Hard Rock venue in the state, has seen its patrons wager more than $37.5 million during its first full week of operation, the Virginia Lottery Board reported on Wednesday.
The Bristol Casino’s adjusted gaming revenue after payouts was $3.74 million, and its first week generated more than $673,000 in taxes, said Gina Smith, the Lottery’s deputy executive director of gaming compliance, during her presentation to the board in Richmond.
More than 90% of the revenue came from the casino’s 900 slot machines, which generated wagering of $34.57 million and winnings of $31.22 million. Meanwhile, more than $2.93 million were wagered at table games.
Slots generated more than $600,000 in tax revenues and table games generated more than $71,200, according to Smith. The adjusted gaming revenue total included $100,000 raised during July 5 and July 7 VIP events. All of that money was donated to the United Way of Bristol Tennessee-Virginia.
Hard Rock's temporary Bristol Casino held its opening ceremony earlier this month
The full Hard Rock property, which is scheduled to open in 2024, is expected to have about 600 additional slot machines and more than twice as many table games. Smith said her office has monthly meetings with the state’s other three voter-approved casino projects, according to Bristol Herald Courier. Construction continues at Rivers Casino Portsmouth, which is not yet licensed but is expected to open in early 2023.
Meanwhile, the Norfolk casino project, run by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, expects to open its temporary facility in March of 2023, Smith said, while the Caesars Danville location is now expected to open sometime in 2024.
Other Virginia updates
The Virginia Lottery has also reported $3.7 billion in lottery ticket sales during fiscal 2021-22, led by scratch tickets and online iLottery sales. Scratchers accounted for $1.32 billion in sales while iLottery was $1.27 billion, according to Executive Director Kelly T. Gee.
Meanwhile, sports wagering exceeded $2.1 billion during the first five months of 2022, Smith said, based on unaudited figures.
FanDuel is the state leader with 40.9% of all sports wagers, followed by Draft Kings at 22.1%, BetMGM at 19.7% and Caesars at 9.1%. This year, FanDuel has paid $9.2 million in taxes to the state, followed by Draft Kings at $2.1 million and Bet MGM at $1.5 million, Smith said.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2022/07/21/63534-virginia-hard-rock-39s-temporary-bristol-casino-tops–37m-in-handle-during-first-week-of-activity
