Bristol candidates seek bigger Hard Rock Casino share

Bristol gets just over 7 per cent of casino tax revenue, like 13 other localities, and any change needs General Assembly approval.

Key Takeaways

• Six candidates are running for three seats on the Bristol City Council in Virginia on November 3, with incumbents and challengers backing a larger city share of Hard Rock Casino tax revenue.
• Bristol shares the revenue with 13 other Southwest Virginia localities, each receiving slightly more than 7 per cent.
• Mayor Jake Holmes, Vice Mayor Neal Osborne and council member Michael Pollard, all independents seeking re-election, say Bristol bears costs for casino traffic, road wear and public safety.
• Any change to the arrangement would require approval from the Virginia General Assembly, and other localities oppose giving Bristol more.

U.S. The six candidates running for three seats on the Bristol City Council in Virginia’s November 3 election are all backing calls to increase the city’s share of tax revenue from Hard Rock Casino. Under the current agreement, Bristol shares the revenue with 13 other localities in Southwest Virginia, each receiving slightly more than 7 per cent. Mayor Jake Holmes, Vice Mayor Neal Osborne and council member Michael Pollard, all running for re-election as independents, argue that Bristol should receive more because it bears the costs of casino-related traffic, road maintenance and public safety.

Holmes stated: “I would like to see something of a host city’s fee of some sort. We do have more visitors coming from outside the area to the casino. There is more wear and tear on our roads, there’s more need for public safety, that type of thing.”

Holmes also cited the costs of addressing odours and other issues at the city’s quarry landfill. Meanwhile, Osborne and Pollard argue that Bristol faces infrastructure and public safety costs that other localities do not have to cover for a casino, while other Virginia casino host cities receive all the gaming tax revenue generated locally.

Projections presented earlier this year to the Southwest Virginia Regional Improvement Commission estimated that each locality would receive about US$1m in 2026. Any change to the arrangement would require approval from the Virginia General Assembly.

Former city manager Randy Eads previously suggested that Bristol should receive between 27 per cent and 50 per cent of the revenue. However, other local governments have opposed the proposal, saying they rely on the funds for their annual budgets.

Current City Manager Tamrya Spradlin has said she will assess council members’ views.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• Why do Bristol candidates want a bigger share? Holmes, Osborne and Pollard say Bristol bears costs other localities don’t, such as casino traffic, road maintenance and public safety. They also say other Virginia casino host cities receive all the local gaming tax revenue.
• Can Bristol change the revenue-sharing agreement? Not on its own. Any change would require approval from the Virginia General Assembly. City Manager Tamrya Spradlin said she will assess council members’ views on seeking changes.