Caesars Approved for Casino in Danville, Virginia, Temporary Site to Open Soon

Caesars Entertainment has become the third operator to gain approval for a physical casino in Virginia. The Nevada-based operator was granted a license this week for its Caesars Virginia partnership by the state Lottery Board, as reported by local outlet WDBJ7.

Designs were already well underway for its casino in Danville before the approval. A 40,000-square-foot temporary site will open for business on May 15, with the full casino expected in 2024.

The full casino will cost some $650 million, funded by Caesars and its local Virginia partners on the project.

The Danville Casino is being built on the former site of the Dan River Mills plant, which for decades employed hundreds of locals in the textiles business. It closed in 2006.

Related: Everything you need to know about Caesars online casino

Danville Community

When Virginia passed a law in 2020 allowing physical casino gaming, five cities voted on casino proposals. Four out of five were approved, and Danville Casino will now become the third to open doors.

“We’ve received an incredible outpouring of support and cooperation to get us to this day, especially from the Danville community and the surrounding areas,” said Chris Albrecht, Caesars Virginia general manager.

“The opening of the Danville Casino is a monumental step forward for us, and we are excited to begin welcoming guests on May 15.”

As is the case in several newly legal US states, national operators wishing to build a casino in Virginia are required to partner with local investors.

Caesars Virginia is a partnership between Caesars Entertainment, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and local business owners the Wright family.

Nod to the Past

The new Danville Casino site will start with 740 slot machines, some 50 or so virtual and physical table games, and eight Caesars-branded sportsbook kiosks. Some 400 locals will be employed in running the temporary casino, and more in construction of the finished site.

Food and drinks will be available 24/7 for patrons from the opening, including an eatery called Three Sisters. The name is a tribute to the three giant smokestacks that still stand on the Dan River Mills site.

These historic structures will be incorporated into the design of the full casino resort during construction.

“We’re keeping the Three Sisters smokestacks there, kind of our nod to the past. And you’ll see this wonderful regional destination that truly will be one of the best regional properties that Caesars has to offer,” Albrecht said.

Looking to the Future

The finished casino will be built around the temporary site, which, for now, is housed in a giant tent.

The full operation will include another 40,000 square feet of convention space, as well 500 hotel rooms.

The casino will have more than 1300 slots, a full Caesars Sportsbook lounge, and a custom World Series of Poker room.

Amenities will include a dozen restaurants and bars, a full-service spa, a swimming pool, and a concert venue that can seat 2,500 people.