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 The entire gambling industry in the U.S. has been growing, and Virginia is no exception. It continues to show impressive figures, which indicate a bright future for the state’s industry. Right now, there are three active casinos in the state, and in April, they were able to bring in a total amount of $78.8 million in adjusted gross revenue, or AGR. This means a 31% increase when compared to the same month last year. Thanks to different factors like strategic tax distribution, local and state-wide programs also benefit from this growth.

A Record-Breaking Month for Casino Revenue

As said above, in April, Virginia’s casinos brought in a total amount of $78.8 million in AGR. This number is the highest recorded since multiple venues began operating in the state. The three casinos of the state, Caesars Virginia in Danville, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, and Rivers Casino Portsmouth, all brought in a balanced amount through slot machines and table games. In total, slot machines brought in $59.5 million and table games $19.1 million.

While ordinary casinos are doing good, online casinos are also gaining popularity steadily. There are new and unique gambling platforms called sweepstakes casinos, which are seen as frontrunners of the industry. This is because they allow players to enjoy different casino games legally across most U.S. states, which is something regular online casinos can’t do. Sweepstakes casinos are able to do this since they operate under sweepstakes laws by offering the option to play with either real money or fun money. (Source: listofsweepstakescasinos.com)

Caesars Virginia Leads the Pack

Of Virginia’s three casinos, Caesars Virginia, which is based in Danville, was able to bring in the most. The venue reported an AGR of $32.4 million, which means a 64.2% increase when compared to the same month last year. Additionally, this number also made it the largest monthly earner in the state.

This huge growth is probably mainly because of the wide range of gambling options the venue offers. It has a wide range of games while also being full of other entertainment options, which are attracting a lot of local and tourist players. On top of this, Caesars Virginia continues to expand its venue by adding more gambling options. Because of this, it’s highly likely that revenue will continue to grow in the coming months.

Hard Rock Bristol Shows Impressive Growth

While Caesars Virginia was the most successful one, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol also showed some impressive growth. The venue reported an AGR of $21 million, which means a 50.9% increase when compared to the same month last year. Additionally, the construction of its permanent casino has been finished, and now the venue is 620,000 square feet and offers slot machines, table games, a sportsbook, a hotel, and dining options including a signature Hard Rock Café.

An interesting fact about Bristol’s generated revenue is that it doesn’t go directly to the city. Instead, thanks to Virginia law, the funds are directed to the Regional Improvement Commission, which is a body responsible for overseeing long-term development projects and infrastructure upgrades in the broader region. While this unique arrangement might seem odd, it’s actually a good thing, since it ensures that economic benefits are spread beyond the casino itself.

Rivers Casino Portsmouth Reports a Slight Decline in Revenue

While Caesars Virginia and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol both reported some impressive increases, Rivers Casino Portsmouth reported a slight decline in revenue. The venue reported an AGR of $25.2 million, which means a 4.3% decline compared to the same month last year. This means that Rivers Casino Portsmouth is the only casino in Virginia, which reported a decline this month.

While this decline might sound like a bad thing, the venue was able to bring in more than Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol. This means that it still continues to attract a lot of local and tourist players. Additionally, the venue is actively investing in customer experience, and there are upcoming promotional events, which will most likely boost the revenue in the upcoming months.

Tax Revenue Fuels Local and Statewide Programs

Virginia law states that casinos must pay taxes based on their AGR by using a graduated tax scale that ranges from 18% to 30%. In April 2025, casinos paid a total of $14.2 million in taxes. These funds are spread according to state legislation and benefit a wide range of public programs and services.

Groups that benefit from these taxes include the Gaming Proceeds Fund and Children’s Trust Fund, so they are really going for a good cause and helping the local community. Additionally, Caesars Virginia’s and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol’s host localities each receive a portion of the tax revenue. Bristol does not, since its funds are directed to the Regional Improvement Commission, as we explained above.

Conclusion

Reflecting the broader growth of the gambling industry across many U.S. states, Virginia’s gambling sector performed strongly in April. Caesars Virginia was able to bring in the most out of the three casinos, which made it the largest monthly earner in the state. While Caesars Virginia and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol showed an increase in revenue, Rivers Casino Portsmouth reported a slight decline. Despite the decline, it still continues to play a key role in local economic activity. Beyond entertainment, all of these casinos also contribute to local communities by paying taxes based on their AGR. Looking to the future, things are looking good for Virginia’s gambling industry.

Gamble responsibly. You must be 21 years old or older to gamble. If you or someone you know has a problem with gambling help is available at 1-800-GAMBLER.