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Virginians bet $635M on sports in March
Virginians wagered $635.59 million on sports in March, 24.2% more than March 2023, according to Virginia Lottery data released Wednesday. March’s handle was a 16.6% increase from the $545 million Virginians bet in February. Virginia bettors won almost $588 million in March and approximately $495 million in February. “Virginia bettors came back full throttle after […]
Cashing in
In 2019, a state study forecast that if the General Assembly allowed five casinos to operate in five economically disadvantaged Virginia cities — Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Richmond — that one-third of the revenue generated would stem from out-of-state visitors. In other words, if you build it, casino backers sang out to the commonwealth’s […]
Va. casinos report $57.3M in Feb. revenue
Gaming revenues from Virginia’s three casinos totaled $57.3 million in February, according to Virginia Lottery data released Friday. The Bristol Casino: Future Home of Hard Rock temporary facility opened July 2022, making it Virginia’s first casino. The Virginia Lottery Board approved HR Bristol’s casino license in April 2022. Last month, the Bristol casino generated about [&hell[...]
Tourism: Game on
According to the state government, visitor spending across Virginia surpassed $30 billion in 2022, exceeding 2019 expenditures by 4.4%. Nevertheless, business travel still hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels, particularly in Northern Virginia. But leisure travel is back and booming. Hotel revenues were up 13% statewide in 2023, compared with 2019, with more rooms sold at […]
Va. casinos report almost $53M in January revenue
January gaming revenues from Virginia’s three casinos totaled $52.86 million, according to Virginia Lottery data released Thursday. Virginia’s first casino, the Bristol Casino: Future Home of Hard Rock temporary facility, opened July 2022. The Virginia Lottery Board approved HR Bristol’s casino license in April 2022. Last month, the Bristol casino generated about $9.9 million fro[...]
Va. casinos report $51.2M in November revenue
Gaming revenues from Virginia’s three casinos totaled $51.2 million in November, according to Virginia Lottery data released Friday. Virginia’s first casino, the Bristol Casino: Future Home of Hard Rock temporary facility, opened July 2022. The Virginia Lottery Board approved HR Bristol’s casino license in April 2022. The Bristol casino reported a little more than $12 […]
Hospitality | Tourism 2023: JIM McGLOTHLIN
McGlothlin has always had an innate sense for a good business opportunity. He built a fortune from coal mines and then pivoted to hospitality as the coal business began to recede. A William & Mary alumnus, McGlothlin has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a law degree. He started out as a lawyer in Grundy, […]
Economic Development 2023: WILL PAYNE
A Richmond native, Payne is now a full-fledged Southwest Virginian who leads marketing efforts to readapt former coal-mining land into other uses. Under Payne’s guidance, invoice automation company Paymerang expanded into Big Stone Gap’s downtown coworking space with 50 jobs. Working with Coronado Global Resources, Payne helped the Australian metallurgical coal producer boost operation[...]
Manufacturing 2023: HOWARD BROADFOOT
Broadfoot has been CEO of Electro-Mechanical since 2021, when he was promoted from chief operating officer upon the retirement of founder Russell Leonard. It’s been a busy couple of years since then. He shepherded the equipment electric manufacturer through its November 2021 acquisition by private equity fund Graycliff Partners for an undisclosed amount. He has […]
Hospitality | Tourism 2023: CLYDE STACY
A former coal mining executive who headed Rapoca Energy, Stacy is a prominent developer and investor in his hometown of Bristol. He purchased the vacant Bristol Mall for $2.6 million in 2018 and partnered with longtime friend Jim McGlothlin, chairman of The United Co., to build Virginia’s first casino. The two friends were instrumental in changing state […]
Bristol makes tourism marketing switch
After 38 years, Bristol, Virginia, has switched destination marketing organizations. On June 13, City Council passed a resolution designating Bristol Regional Tourism Marketing Corp., better known as Explore Bristol, as its new DMO, the agency responsible for promoting the area to tourists. The former DMO, Discover Bristol, operated by the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, will […]
Va. casinos report $35.4M in April revenue
Gaming revenues from Virginia’s two casinos open in April totaled $35.4 million last month, according to data released Monday from the Virginia Lottery. Rivers Casino Portsmouth, which received its casino license in November 2022 and opened Jan. 23, reported $21.3 million in adjusted gross revenue (wagers minus winnings) in April. Of that, $13.8 million came […]
