VA Casino bill passes in House and Senate, Hard Rock Bristol one step closer to reality
Virginia delegates and senators have finally given approval to a casino bill that could bring casino style gambling to Bristol, VA and other localities in the Commonwealth.
City Manager Randy Eads spoke with Supertalk Monday morning and gave his reaction to yesterday’s news out of Richmond.
“I was excited to hear the news, we’ve worked on this project for a little over a year and a half and to actually see it being passed through both the House and Senate yesterday was very good news for the city of Bristol and Southwest Virginia,” said Eads.
Two hurdles now remain, including the next step this legislation has to clear, that’s getting Governor Ralph Northam to sign it into law. It would then take effect July 1st, setting up the last hurdle, a local referendum letting voters decide whether to allow casino style gambling in their area, which would take place in this November’s election. Hard Rock has attached its name to the proposed casino and resort in Bristol, which Eads feels helped to change public perception of the project.
“With the concerts that they bring, with the energy that they bring, this will be a perfect marriage between, I think this will be a perfect marriage between Hard Rock and Bristol,” Eads said.
The Alliance Group, a Richmond, VA based firm issued a statement of yesterday’s passage of the bill on behalf of Hard Rock Casino Bristol:
“We are pleased that the General Assembly passed HB 4 and SB 36 and are excited about the potential it will bring. This legislation allows for major economic development projects in Bristol, Danville, Portsmouth, Richmond and Norfolk and will bring thousands of new jobs and millions in additional tax revenue to Virginia. We want to particularly thank Del. Terry Kilgore and Sen. Todd Pillion and the entire Southwest Virginia delegation for their relentless support and hard work, and Senator Louise Lucas for her vision and commitment to make this legislation a reality.
We look forward to the Governor acting on the legislation as it advances to him for consideration. These projects will help five cities in desperate need of new tax revenue to fund education, public safety, and other critical local needs.
We are excited about bringing our world-class entertainment brand to the people of Virginia.”
(PHOTO: Hard Rock International / Coyne PR)
