Book The Bristol Hotel, Bristol on Tripadvisor: See 225 traveler reviews, 201 candid photos, and great deals for The Bristol Hotel, ranked #1 of 17 hotels in Bristol and rated 5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. The proposed casino would be located at the former Bristol Mall on Gate City Highway Virginia: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol's supporters release new videos Bristol’s casino referendum question appears near the bottom of the back page of the ballot beneath two proposed constitutional amendments.

Carter Lee@thecarterlee

He asked that anyone present from the small city on the Virginia-Tennessee border stand if they supported a hotel-and-casino proposal in a derelict Bristol shopping center. Florida-based casino and hospitality company Hard Rock International has been selected as the operator of a proposed casino in the Virginia city of Bristol, the partners behind the project announced Friday. By Dann Stupp Voters have cast their votes, and Hard Rock Bristol Hotel and Casino is coming to Virginia. With 60% of the precincts reporting, pundits are calling it a win for the pro-casino set. Bristol was one of four economically disadvantaged cities in Virginia that held a casino referendum this Election Day.

January 10^th, 2020 - 09:00am@thecarterlee

Another group has entered a bid to build a casino in Bristol, Virginia. On Jan. 7, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and developer Steve Johnson announced plans to build and operate a casino. Located in Washington County on a 350-acre area, it features a massive shopping center.

The proposed property also includes a hotel with over 1,100 rooms, an indoor water park and an outdoor concert venue. The location is near the border of Bristol, Tennessee, and is also close to several other states including Kentucky and North Carolina. Richard Sneed, the Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), spoke on Tuesday about the proposed casino and state market.

“I have visited the site along I-81 and I am impressed with its strategic, gateway location that serves a five-state area,” Sneed said, according to the Associated Press. “It is our wish to bring new tax revenue and jobs to Washington County and Southwest Virginia region in a positive and impactful way.”

Steve Johnson spoke on his agreement with EBCI.

'Our agreement with Chief Sneed of the EBCI is an extraordinary opportunity to bring an experienced casino owner-operator to Washington County and the Southwest Virginia region,' Johnson said. 'We look forward to working with the Cherokee Nation, local leaders, and elected officials in Richmond to bring this massive opportunity to fruition.'

Bristol City Manager Randy Eads opposes the would-be casino, stating that it could hurt all of Southwest Virginia. However, Bristol Mayor Neal Osborne announced his support of a casino in the Virginia city last August.

Jim McGlothlin and Clyde Stacy Propose Hard Rock Casino in Bristol

Local businessmen and longtime friends Jim McGlothlin and Clyde Stacy announced their interest for a Bristol casino in Aug. 2018. In an interview with the Bristol Herald Courier on Jan. 3, McGlothlin said that they want the casino project to be located at the former Bristol Mall. Hard Rock International would manage the gaming facility.

McGlothlin added that the city desperately needs a casino due to Bristol’s long-term debt of more than $100 million, its low per capita income, and high poverty and unemployment rates.

Virginia lawmakers are contemplating legalizing casinos in the state. It is unlikely more than one casino would be approved near Bristol.

Casino Project Proposed in Portsmouth

Roughly 420 miles east of Bristol, another Virginia city has a casino proposal. In November, it was reported that the City Council of Portsmouth supported a casino deal between Rush Street Gaming and the Portsmouth Economic Development Authority.

The city council voted unanimously in support of the agreement; the aim in the project is to create nearly 1,000 jobs.

Check out states where online casinos for real money is legal.

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Voters approved the proposed plan for a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino to be built in Bristol, Virginia, according to unofficial election results.

There were 5,427 'Yes' votes and 2,221 'No' votes.

Casino In Bristol Va

Officials expect the project will bring between 2,000 and 3,500 jobs and $16 to $21 million per year in tax revenue for Bristol, Virginia.

'To be a part of and to help in the rebirth of a city is exciting to us,' Chief Operating Officer of Hard Rock International Jon Lucas told News 5 last month.

Hard Rock expects 4 million visitors per year. The casino is expected to open at the end of 2022 or early in 2023.

However, there has been opposition to the plan.

'My heart goes out,' Abingdon Church of Christ Minister Bill Haywood told News 5 in September. 'Bristol, Virginia has an economic problem. I believe the promoters probably have good intentions. But it doesn't change the fact that it's going to hurt people. This is what the statistics show. This is what's happened over and over again.'

His church mailed out an eight-page magazine to Bristol, Virginia, residents.

We will have updates as they become available.

Stay with News 5 on air and online for the latest election coverage.