Virginia’s first casino, the temporary facility in Bristol, drew 1.2 million people from across the U.S. and a number of other countries and paid out $92 million in jackpots in its inaugural year, which has been deemed a success by casino and city officials.
You wouldn’t know it yet from the surrounding neighborhood, which appears to be mostly unchanged in the 12 months since the casino opened. But city and casino officials expect that to change with the opening next July of the full, permanent facility, whose anticipated cost now tops $520 million, an increase from the original estimate of $400 million. It will include a hotel and amphitheater with lots of entertainment, more restaurants and food options, shopping, a spa and pool.
