Caesars Virginia Casino Resort may be a little over a year away but plans for a temporary casino in Danville, VA, are getting close. On Feb. 21, Caesars Entertainment President and CEO Anthony Carano told investors Danville’s temporary casino plans “remain on track to open in mid-year” 2023.

Danville qualified as a host casino city. Then, voters used Election Day 2020 to bring a casino to Danville: Caesars Virginia Casino Resort should draw plenty of excitement for the inland city nestled just north of the North Carolina border.

After a casino referendum passed by a comfortable 61-39 margin, the Danville City Council and its preferred casino partner, Caesars Entertainment, moved forward on the project: Caesars Virginia.

Danville and Caesars Virginia Casino dignitaries held a groundbreaking on Aug. 11, 2022. A few setbacks have caused developers to delay the timeline a bit. Look for the full Caesars Virginia to open in late 2024 now.

Plans for the Caesars Virginia in Danville

Caesars Virginia, a $500 million hotel and resort, will be built on an 85-acre site formerly known as the Dan River Mills industrial complex in Schoolfield.

According to Caesars officials, the resort will feature, among other attractions:

• 500-room hotel with room to expand to 1,500 total rooms in the future
• Casino, sportsbook and poker room
• 35,000-square-foot conference center
• 2,500-seat live entertainment venue
• Spa, pool and fitness center
• Multiple restaurants, bars and retail shops

The Caesars Virginia site sits along the banks of the Dan River on West Main Street in the central part of the city. It’s currently recognized as a national historic district. However, the complex, which was once the largest textile facility in the South, has been mostly vacant since 2006.

Caesars officials plan to design the resort with aesthetics from the once-thriving Dan Rivers Mill, including its smokestacks, red bricks and overall industrial design.

Newest updates on the Danville casino

Aug. 11, 2022: Danville and Caesars officials hold a groundbreaking ceremony as the project moves forward.

Aug. 23, 2021: Caesars officials reveal that the project budget has increased from $400 million to $500 million.

Nov. 3, 2020: Danville residents overwhelmingly vote in favor of a casino referendum and formally approve the Caesars Virginia project.

Sept. 2, 2020: The Danville City Council formally approves and unanimously votes to support the casino development agreement with Caesars Entertainment.

Aug. 12, 2020: Caesars Entertainment announces “Caesars For Danville,” a formal referendum campaign and committee to bring casino gambling to the city. Co-chairs include Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones, Del. Danny Marshall (R-Danville), Averett University President Tiffany Franks, and project investor Tammy Wright-Warren.

June 2, 2020: The Danville City Council voted unanimously to name Caesars Entertainment as its preferred casino partner. The vote also included the recommendation to notify the Virginia Lottery of the city’s choice.

May 18, 2020: The City of Danville made the official announcement that they are in negotiations with Caesars Entertainment, chosen from a number of outstanding bids, with regards to opening a casino resort for the city.

Jan. 13, 2020: A deadline is set for Request for Proposals (RFP) to become the city’s preferred casino partner.

Dec 2, 2019: The city issues a formal RFP to companies interested in operating a casino in Danville.

Timeline for the Caesars Virginia project

July 2020: Danville officials can apply for its casino operator license

Nov. 3: General election

Early December: Danville casino election results certified by the Secretary of State

August 2022: Officials break ground on Caesars Virginia

Mid-year 2023: The temporary Caesars casino slated to open

Second half of 2024: Caesars Virginia opens to the public

Benefits of a Caesars, Danville partnership

The positive implications for the City of Danville are significant.

The initial capital investment for the site would be $650 million. Initially, 900 construction jobs would be created while developing the former textile mill complex. Once opened, the operation of the casino resort would generate 1,300 permanent positions.

This resort has the potential to revitalize and reinvigorate the City of Danville, its economy, as well as the stability and progress of the community.

The City Council stated that the average salary from these jobs would range from $35,000 to $47,000 annually.

The city stands to benefit from $20 million in annual revenue from gaming taxes and various gaming-related revenue.

Furthermore, an additional $4 million would be generated by annual taxes from commodities such as:

• Hotel taxes
• Real estate
• Transport
• Food and beverage

The leaders of the City of Danville have stated that they will use the annual revenues from the resort for a number of crucial investments that will encourage further growth and opportunities in the community.