| Caesars Virginia | |
|---|---|
| Location | Danville, Virginia |
| Address | 1100 West Main Street |
| Opening date | May 15, 2023 (2023-05-15) (temporary) December 17, 2024 (2024-12-17) (permanent) |
| Total gaming space | 40,000 sq ft (3,700 m) |
| Casino type | Land-based |
| Owner | Caesars Entertainment and EBCI Holdings, LLC |
| Architect | Marnell Companies |
| Coordinates | 36°34′08″N 79°25′40″W / 36.56889°N 79.42778°W / 36.56889; -79.42778 |
| Website | Official site |
Caesars Virginia is a casino and hotel in Danville, Virginia, that officially open on December 17, 2024. It is located in the Schoolfield Mill district, on the site of the former Dan River Mills finishing plant. It is owned in partnership between Caesars Entertainment and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. On May 15, 2023, the temporary Danville Casino was opened.
History
In 2020, Virginia legislators passed a bill allowing the establishment of casinos. Still, they limited the option to five eligible host cities: Portsmouth, Richmond, Norfolk, Danville, and Bristol. An additional condition was set that each city must hold a referendum on the question of whether to allow casino gaming in the city.
Plans for the casino in Danville started in December 2019 when the city of Danville began seeking proposals of a possible casino that must included either the White Mill or Schoolfield site. In August 2020, the Danville City Council gave unanimous approval to Caesars Entertainment's proposed $400 million premier resort and casino plan. On September 3, 2020, the city of Danville and Caesars Entertainment officials signed a development agreement for a resort casino at the former Dan River Mills industrial complex in Schoolfield. In November 2020, Danville voters approved the casino referendum, with 13,022 voting Yes (69%) to 5,941 voting No (29%). In August 2022, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians announced a joint venture with Caesars Entertainment on a revised $650 million project to develop Caesars Virginia. Construction on Caesars Virginia began the same month, slated to be completed in late 2024. Three historic smokestacks from the original mill will be retained as part of the plan.
In November 2022, Caesars Entertainment announced plans to open a temporary casino in Danville by Mid-2023 In April 2023, the Virginia Lottery Board issued a facility operator's license to Caesars Virginia to operate Virginia's third casino. On May 15, 2023, the 40,000-square-foot (3,700 m) temporary Danville Casino was opened. Resembling a large white tent on the outside, the temporary facility includes eight sportsbook betting kiosks, 740 slot machines, 25 live table games, 28 electronic table games, and a quick-service restaurant called Three Stacks.
References
- Weiss, Elias (March 10, 2021). "Bellagio architect to design Caesar's casino resort in Danville". Chatham Star-Tribune. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- Hunziker, Jacob (December 17, 2024). "'I might not go home tonight': Folks share excitement for Danville Casino opening parade". Lynchburg, VA: WSET-TV. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ Frolo, Caitlyn (August 10, 2022). "Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians joins Caesars as partner in Danville casino build". Lynchburg, VA: WSET-TV. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- Mamon, Grace (November 4, 2022). "Danville once thrived on the success of its mills. Now, its economic future could lie in their redevelopment". Cardinal News. Roanoke, Virginia. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- "WATCH: Grand opening ceremony held for temporary Danville casino". Roanoke, VA: WSLS-TV. May 15, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- "SB 36 Lottery Board; regulation and control of casino gaming, definitions". Virginia General Assembly. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- "City seeking proposals for a casino project". City of Danville. December 2, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- "Caesars Entertainment Announces The Launch Of The "Caesars For Danville" Referendum Campaign" (Press release). Caesars Entertainment. August 12, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- Mamon, Grace (September 21, 2023). "Danville's casino is being built in what was once an all-white company town. A new exhibit will preserve its complex history". Cardinal News. Roanoke, Virginia. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- "City, Caesars hold signing ceremony for casino". City of Danville. September 3, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- "Danville casino referendum passes". Roanoke, VA: WDBJ. November 3, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- "Danville's $650 million casino resort construction begins". Roanoke, VA: WSLS-TV. August 10, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- Mamon, Grace (August 11, 2022). "Caesars will break ground today. Is Danville ready?". Cardinal News. Roanoke, Virginia. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- King, Chelsea (November 4, 2022). "Caesars executives looking to open temporary Danville casino in 2023". Lynchburg, VA: WSET-TV. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- Frolo, Caitlyn (April 26, 2023). "Virginia Lottery Board approves Danville casino operator's license". Lynchburg, VA: WSET-TV. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- Sidersky, Robyn (May 15, 2023). "Caesars Danville opens temporary casino". Virginia Business. Retrieved June 24, 2023.