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BRISTOL, VA (WJHL) - Today, local business and community leaders are betting on Bristol with major plans for a resort and casino at Bristol Mall in Bristol, VA. 

The vision for the property: 90,000 square feet of casino, 90,000 square feet dedicated to children's activities, and 25,000 square feet for sports betting. In addition, business leaders plan to build a 600 to 1000 room hotel on site.  

There are also plans for 50 stores and restaurants to be leased out on the property. 

The economic opportunity is expected to bring thousands of jobs to the Bristol, VA and the region.   

It's expected that the resort casino would employ 2,000 people during the first year of operations and is expected to grow to more than 5,200 in seven years.  

Some of the amenities planned for the resort casino are indoor and outdoor pools, restaurants, suites, fitness center, live entertainment, spa, salon, shops, boutiques, goods from artisans and craftsmen, wedding and event venues, family arcade, go-kart racing,a kid's waterpark, business center, miniature golf, museum of local history, golf and baseball simulators, convention and conference center and even virtual games. 

Business leaders say all funding will be done by local investors. They said there will be no city, county, or state funding and no incentives required.  

For a recap of today's announcement watch the full news conference here. 

Bristol Resort and Casino Project at Bristol MallWATCH LIVE: Local business and community leaders are announcing a major economic opportunity for Bristol and Southwest Virginia. We're told the announcement is about plans for the Bristol Resort and Casino Project at Bristol Mall. Read more: https://www.wjhl.com/1425011648

Posted by WJHL on Friday, September 7, 2018