Hard Rock International to open temporary Virginia casino in July

American casino operator Hard Rock International has announced that it is to debut a temporary gambling facility in Virginia this summer ahead of the expected early-2024 premiere of its $150 million Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Bristol development.

The enterprise owned by the federally-recognized Seminole Tribe of Florida used an official Wednesday press release to detail that local gamblers will be able to visit its interim Bristol Casino: Future Home of Hard Rock venue from July 8 so as to enjoy a selection of approximately 900 slots as well as 20 gaming tables and a sportsbook. The company also revealed that this full-service provisional operation is to create around 600 jobs and open at 500 Gate City Highway on the site of the community’s former Bristol Mall, which is currently being transformed into the more permanent Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Bristol venture.

Impressive intent:

Hard Rock International is already responsible for twelve casinos spread across the United States including the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City and was given permission to bring its Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Bristol to the southern Virginia city in November of 2020 following the completion of a local referendum. The operator moreover explained that this fresh venue is now on track to be the first of the four new Las Vegas-style casinos approved by voters in ‘The Old Dominion State’ to open and will eventually offer a 90,000 sq ft gaming floor in addition to a 25,000 sq ft sportsbook, up to 50 retail and food outlets and a hotel featuring as many as 1,000 rooms.

Provisional plan:

Allie Evangelista (pictured) will serve as the President for the under-construction Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Bristol and she used the press release to disclose that the temporary Bristol Casino: Future Home of Hard Rock is to premiere boasting around 30,000 sq ft of gaming space additionally encompassing non-smoking and high-limit areas. She asserted that the interim operation will additionally have a Hard Rock merchandise store alongside a restaurant and a pair of sports bars ‘with entertainment.’

Read a statement from Evangelista…

“We continue to hire new team members daily and are working hard to fill remaining positions with hiring events over the next couple of months including two events next week. Visitors will be thrilled to enjoy fantastic gaming and dining opportunities at our new property. Bristol Casino: Future Home of Hard Rock will be a major draw to Bristol and the region as we move towards completion of our full-scale resort and casino.”

Telling tribute:

For his part and Jon Lucas, Chief Operating Officer for Hard Rock International, used the press release to praise Evangelista’s efforts and describe the coming Bristol Casino: Future Home of Hard Rock endeavor as ‘a wonderful addition to our global portfolio of dining, hotel and entertainment properties.’

A statement from Lucas read…

“We are excited to open the casino and welcome guests. I am pleased by the significant progress that Allie Evangelista and her team are making towards a July 8 grand opening celebration for Bristol.”