Caesars Entertainment celebrated a significant milestone with the opening of its temporary casino in Danville, Virginia. The property officially welcomed visitors on Monday, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This 40,000-square-foot venue will serve as a temporary gaming destination until the launch of the permanent Caesars Virginia, which is scheduled for late 2024.
A Peek Inside the Temporary Casino
The temporary casino boasts an array of gaming options, including 740 slot machines, eight sports betting kiosks, 25 live table games offering classics like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, and 28 electronic table games featuring blackjack, roulette, and craps. To cater to the culinary needs of guests, a quick-service restaurant named “Three Stacks” is available on-site.
Mayor Alonzo Jones Expresses Excitement
Danville’s Mayor, Alonzo Jones, couldn’t hide his enthusiasm about the casino’s arrival. He shared, “Danville is really excited. Our phones have been blowing off the hook. People from all over the Carolinas, all over the state of Virginia. Caesars have done everything they said they were going to do for the City of Danville.”
Before the grand opening, Chris Albrecht, General Manager for Caesars Virginia, expressed the company’s dedication to delivering a top-notch experience. He explained, “We spent a lot of time, energy, and effort to make sure this felt like a fantastic casino that you would be proud of. We put a lot of detail into making this experience very strong, even though we know we’re in a temporary operation.”
Caesars Virginia Joins the Ranks of Virginia Casinos
Caesars Virginia is now the third casino facility in the state, following in the footsteps of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Temporary Bristol and Rivers Casino Portsmouth. The Virginia Lottery Board granted the casino license for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Temporary Bristol in April 2022, and the temporary facility opened its doors to the public on July 8, 2022. Rivers Casino Portsmouth received its casino license approval in November and commenced operations on January 23.
The Road to the Permanent Caesars Virginia
While the temporary casino provides visitors with an excellent gaming experience, the permanent Caesars Virginia is well underway. Construction began in August, and the temporary location is expected to bring in an additional $12.1 million in revenue for the city. The permanent venue, a $650 million investment, is set to include a 500-room hotel, a comprehensive casino gaming floor featuring more than 1,300 slots, 85 live table games, 24 electronic table games, a WSOP poker room, and a Caesars Sportsbook. Guests can also look forward to a spa, pool area, fitness center, and 40,000 square feet of meeting and convention space. An entertainment venue capable of accommodating up to 2,500 guests will add to the offerings.
Creating Opportunities for the Community
In January, Caesars Entertainment initiated hiring efforts to fill hundreds of open positions. The company was actively seeking enthusiastic individuals for various roles, including training for dealing cards, in preparation for the casino’s operations. This commitment to recruitment aims to provide opportunities and boost the local economy.
Caesars Entertainment’s expansion into Danville, Virginia, is not only an exciting development for the gaming industry but also a significant driver for economic growth and community engagement in the region.