Virginia Casino Pioneer Jim McGlothlin Dies, Coal Magnate Helped Bring Gaming to Commonwealth
Posted on: August 7, 2025, 11:25h.
Last updated on: August 7, 2025, 11:44h.
- Jim McGlothlin has died at the age of 85
- McGlothlin helped usher in casino gambling to Virginia
- Gov. Youngkin expressed his condolences to the Southwest Virginia businessman’s family
Virginia businessman and philanthropist Jim McGlothlin, who helped bring casinos to the commonwealth, died Wednesday. He was 85.
McGlothlin’s career began as a lawyer in Buchanan County in the 1960s. His wealth began amassing after he purchased a local coal company at auction in 1970.
McGlothlin founded The United Company, a Bristol-based conglomerate that began in coal production. Over the decades, it expanded into oil and gas exploration, investment management services, and real estate development, the latter of which included opening Virginia’s first casino.
McGlothlin, who, along with his longtime friend, Clyde Stacy of Par Ventures, was instrumental in getting state lawmakers on board with casino gambling. In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly passed a bill allowing for five casinos, with one earmarked for Bristol.
McGlothlin and The United Company partnered with Hard Rock International to present Bristol voters with a $515 million development called Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol. Voters signed off on the project through a local referendum with 71% support.
It was a moonshot,” McGlothlin said last fall regarding bringing casinos to Virginia, a state that had historically opposed slot machines and table games.
Hard Rock Bristol has been a great success, with more than 1,000 people hired and the Southwestern Virginia city experiencing a tourism boom. The casino’s gaming taxes are lifting the region as a whole.
I bet if we did the referendum today, we’d get 90% support,” McGlothlin declared.
The United Company remains the majority owner of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol.
Legend Dies
McGlothlin leaves behind a distinguished legacy that extends far beyond Hard Rock Bristol. He was exceptionally philanthropic and used The Olde Farm golf club, which he opened in 2000, to fundraise for public schools through charity golf tournaments.
He oversaw The United Company Foundation and the James. W. and Frances Gibson McGlothlin Foundation. He served as a national trustee of the First Tee and the Medical College of Virginia. He contributed tens of millions of dollars to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Those are just some of McGlothlin’s philanthropic endeavors.
“Our hearts are heavy today. Jim McGlothlin’s legacy will forever be felt across Southwest Virginia and the entire Commonwealth,” said Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R).
“Alongside his wife, Fran, they used that success to dedicate their time and treasure to changing the lives of countless Virginians. Their commitment to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts enriches the culture of our Commonwealth. Their support for the Mountain Mission School in Grundy provided a beacon of hope to generations of children. Their support for William & Mary and VCU Health enables students to reach their dreams and have a daily impact on patient care and medical training,” Youngkin added.
Hard Rock History
McGlothlin’s Hard Rock made history in July 2022 when it opened the first casino in Virginia. The temporary gaming facility opened in what was formerly a Belk department store at the shuttered Bristol Mall.
The permanent Hard Rock Bristol property opened last November. The facility offers 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, a Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook, and a 303-room hotel.
There are numerous restaurants and bars, an indoor-outdoor pool, and a 2,000-seat Hard Rock Live concert venue where country music superstar Blake Shelton first played.
Last Comments ( 2 )
Jim McGlothlin will not be missed in Bristol, Virginia. Putting a gambling casino in a town of barely 17,000 population is just plain stupid. I don't know what happened to Jim, was it old age or a stroke, or retardation of some sort, but he lied constantly about how great this was for Bristol. It's still online where he said Bristol, Virginia would benefit to the tune of 21 million a year in tax revenue from the Hard Rock Casino. Then, behind everyone's back, after the referendum was voted on they all get together and decide in a back room deal to make sure Bristol, the hosting city, will only get 7% of the total tax revenue, and 13 other surrounding counties in Virginia will receive the other 93% of the revenue. This is beyond dirty to knowingly do this type of treachery to a place that voted you in. This is a tremendous stain and tarnish on Jim McGlothlins reputation and it overshadows any good thing he ever had done. Currently Bristol is in dire financial shape due to his actions and the Ambulance and Life Saving Crew has no money to operate. Good riddance Jim, and may you not rest in peace EVER.
No real loss to humanity