Virginia casinos post record $85.4 million in gaming revenue in May

Virginia’s casino industry posted a record $85.38 million in adjusted gross revenue (AGR) in May, driven by robust performance at the state's three land-based gaming properties, according to data released by the Virginia Lottery.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, operating with 1,423 slot machines and 73 table games, reported its strongest month to date, generating $23.02 million in AGR in May — a 9.4% increase from April and nearly 8% higher than its previous peak in March.

Slot machine revenue at the Bristol property reached $18.74 million, up from the March high of $17.34 million, while table games brought in $4.28 million, also surpassing the March record of $3.98 million. Both slots and table games reached record-high adjusted gaming revenue for a single month.

The surge in revenue translated into $4.14 million in gaming taxes from Hard Rock Bristol alone, with $1.38 million allocated to the Regional Improvement Commission. The funds will be distributed evenly among 14 Southwest Virginia localities, including host city Bristol, each receiving $98,685.78.

Rivers Casino Portsmouth also posted its own monthly record of $28.3 million in AGR, marginally higher than March’s $27.8 million. However, Caesars Virginia remained the highest earner among the three operational casinos, though May revenue declined 5% to $34.05 million from March’s $35.9 million.

Virginia’s combined gaming tax collections for May totaled $15.36 million, with Danville, host to Caesars Virginia, receiving $2.04 million and Portsmouth receiving $1.69 million. The state’s Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund was allocated nearly $123,000.

In its first six full months of operation, Hard Rock Bristol reported over $124 million in AGR — including $102 million from slots and $22 million from table games — underscoring its growing contribution to Virginia’s nascent casino market.