Caesars Virginia in Danville officially opened the doors to its $750 million permanent casino and resort at noon today.
The grand opening festivities included a parade of cars and ceremonial first bet by former NBA forward Dennis Rodman.
Fireworks and a drone show are planned for 8 p.m. tonight.
“The team has been working around the clock to officially open the doors of Caesars Virginia, and we cannot wait to begin welcoming guests on Dec. 17,” said Chris Albrecht, senior vice president and general manager of Caesars Virginia.
Caesars Virginia been scheduled to open on Dec. 12 but was delayed in early December.
The facility includes a full-service spa, pool, dining, upscale bars and lounges, entertainment and gaming. The resort also includes a 320-room hotel tower with views of the southern Virginia skyline including the historic “Three Sisters” smokestacks.
Prior to the grand opening, a temporary facility was used in the resort’s parking lot. The temporary facility opened in May 2023, and since then, has paid more than $66 million to the City of Danville and the Commonwealth of Virginia in gaming taxes. The operator’s license for Danville was issued in April 2023.
Key dates for other casinos in Virginia
- In November 2024, ground was broken on a waterfront resort and casino planned in Norfolk with a likely opening in 2027
- In November 2024, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Bristol opened its permanent location
- In November 2024, voters in Petersburg approved the construction of a $1.4 billion project which could become Virginia’s fifth legal casino
- In November 2023, Richmond voters rejected a proposed casino resort for the second time. Voters also voted down the project in 2021
- In January 2023, Rivers Casino in Portsmouth opened its doors
Oversight of Virginia casinos
The Virginia Lottery assumed regulatory oversight of sports wagering and casino gaming in the Commonwealth in 2020.
Gaming regulations were approved by the Virginia Lottery Board in July 2021. Its first operator’s license was issued in April 2022.
In Virginia, casino taxes go to:
- 6 percent of the casino’s adjusted revenue goes to the host city, or in the case of Bristol, the Regional Improvement Commission (if the casino’s revenue for the calendar year exceeds $200 million, it jumps to 7 percent for the remainder of the year).
- 0.8 percent goes to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund.
- 0.2 percent goes to the Family and Children’s Trust Fund.
- The remainder goes to the School Construction Fund.
The distribution is set in the Code of Virginia.
More information on Caesars Virginia in Danville
Caesars Virginia is owned by Caesars Entertainment and venture partners EBCI Holdings and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
The casino and resort are located at 1100 W. Main St. in Danville, near the North Carolina border with Virginia.
For more information, visit www.caesars.com/caesars-virginia
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Crystal Graham
