Evangelista said the initial performance was better than anticipated, according to the cited source, although she admitted Bristol Casino –Virginia’s first such venue– doesn’t have much competition at the moment.

Out of that total, $10.2 million came from the property’s 870 slot machines, while $1.5 million corresponded to its 21 table games. Since then, it has shown early signs of success: according to a Virginia Lottery report, the venue generated $11.7 million in adjusted gross revenues from gaming in its first partial month of operation.

The temporary full-service casino “Bristol Casino - Future Home of Hard Rock” celebrated its launch on July 8, ahead of the opening of the permanent venue, set for 2024. It also offers restaurants such as Lucky’s, Brick’d, and sports bar and lounge Bristol Bar. The space includes a main casino floor as well as non-smoking and high-limit gaming areas. The temporary site has 30,000 square feet of casino space featuring 870 slots, 21 tables, and a sportsbook, all open to the public 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. “We knew that the community was excited about it and the team members were excited about opening the property, but I don’t think I could have anticipated the excitement that came with the feedback we received.” We knew it would be a positive opening,” Hard Rock Bristol President Allie Evangelista said, reports Bristol Herald Courier. Virginia’s first casino, which celebrated its first six weeks of operation Friday, has thus far exceeded expectations, drawing thousands of visitors to the former Bristol Mall and documenting guests from 49 states, with Alaska as the only exception. A month and a half after its opening, the Bristol Casino, future home of Hard Rock, has proven to be an early success.

Bristol va casino protests