Hard Rock grows casino presence in the US

Hard Rock International will become the official operator of a casino in Virginia, with the venture to be part of the development project at Bristol Mall.

Gambling News’ report reviews the casino and hotel brand unveiled its plan last Friday by one of its development partners and the chief executive officer of The United Co, Jim McGlothlin.

Mr McGlothlin shared his enthusiasm to collaborate with Hard Rock and benefit from the brand’s global expertise in running high-end hospitality and gaming venues.

“We are excited to collaborate with Hard Rock, a well-respected and legendary entertainment brand with legions of devoted customers across the country and around the world,” Mr McGlothlin said.

He praised the company for its established footprint with some 31 distinguished hotel properties around the world, 12 casinos and 218 cafes and Rock Shops.

On the casino front, Hard Rock has properties scattered across the United States from as far and wide as Florida, Nevada, New Jersey and Iowa.

Mr McGlothlin considered the brands’ involvement with various music entertainment programs as the perfect compliment to the business, helping push the Hard Rock Casino Bristol project into a success.

Mr McGlothlin said the company already has a permit to proceed after the Virginia General Assembly gave the go-ahead for the project in February.

While the Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission is bound to give its approval, it would ultimately be up to Bristol, Virginia voters to decide whether they want to allow a casino project to emerge in the region.

City Manager Randy Eads has been among the individuals to praise the efforts to bring the Seminole owned-brand to Bristol.

Mr Eads reiterated the stance of Mr McGlothlin, saying that Hard Rock was a brand known for its music initiatives.

The project itself will bring significant economic benefits to the region, with 2,000 jobs anticipated to be created in just one year of operation.

This number will be topped off to 5,200 visitors within seven years.

Early projections expect the project to draw 4 million visitors annually, generating $1 billion in economic value.

Mr McGlothlin shared the same opinion in an official statement:

“The Hard Rock team understands the significant economic development impact the Hard Rock Casino Bristol will have on the city and the entire surrounding region, in terms of new jobs and additional tax revenue,” he said.

Mr Eads agreed with Mr McGlothlin, reminding press that Hard Rock is a well-established brand, and specifically citing other aspects of the experience, beyond gaming, such as hospitality, catering and live music entertainment.

According to Mr Eads, the project is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for Bristol, as well as Virginia.

Hard Rock International front and centre of new Greek casino

Hard Rock International tossed its hat into the ring for the development of a casino resort as part of an 8 billion euro complex that is planned to be built at the site of the defunct Ellinikon International Airport near Athens.

Casino News Daily reported in August that at a press conference held last Friday in the Greek capital, Hard Rock chief executive officer Jim Allen announced that the company has made a binding offer to bring a casino to the larger complex, which is dubbed Hellinikon.

The Florida-based gaming and hospitality company plans to invest 1 billion euros into the development of a casino resort as part of the larger complex.

Mr Allen further revealed that Hard Rock would self-fund its project with 250 million euros, supplemented by loans extended by Greek and foreign banks.

The development will include a casino with slot machines and table games, a hotel, a conference centre, dining outlets and entertainment areas.

Mr Allen went on to explain Hard Rock’s proposal will pay due respect to Athens’ rich heritage as an international city.

The company will work with local businesses to help it achieve that goal.

The Hard Rock boss told local media that the project, if approved by the Greek government, will create 3,000 new jobs during construction stage and 1,600 permanent jobs when the casino complex becomes operational.

Construction is expected to take between 20-26 months to be completed.