Caesars Virginia received the state lottery board’s approval and announced its opening date. It’s now the third casino in Virginia to receive a license to operate in the state.
On Wednesday, the Virginia Lottery Board approved the operator’s license for Danville’s $650 million Caesars casino. Quickly afterward, the entertainment company announced an opening date for its temporary casino in Danville.
Danville casino announces a May 15 opening date
Upon receiving state approval, Caesars Virginia announced its temporary casino in Danville will open its doors on May 15. On this occasion, Virginia Lottery Executive Director Kelly T. Gee said in the company’s press release:
“For months, the Lottery’s Gaming Compliance Department and legal team have conducted background investigations and examined every detail of this application. Those investigations include not just Caesars Virginia, but all the vendors and employees as well.”
The temporary casino will open at 10 am and remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The casino is still pending the successful completion of test dates with the Virginia Lottery.
Company officials said the temporary casino would create 400 jobs. For now, Caesars will operate at a temporary facility as it prepares to open its permanent facility.
Caesars Virginia is now the third casino facility operator to receive the lottery board’s approval since the General Assembly passed legislation in 2020. The state’s other two existing gaming venues are the Hard Rock Casino in Bristol and Rivers Casino Portsmouth in Hampton Roads.
Caesars Virginia casino is an affiliation between Caesars Entertainment and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
What will the temporary Caesars Virginia casino offer?
Caesars Virginia said the 40,000-square-foot temporary casino facility will offer:
- 740 slot machines
- 25 live table games like blackjack and roulette
- 28 electronic table games
- Self-service sports betting kiosks
- Three Stacks restaurant open 24/7, serving “classic American fare”
Chris Albrecht, senior vice president and general manager of Danville Casino and Caesars Virginia, said in Danville, Virginia news release:
“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.”
Construction continues on Caesars Virginia permanent facility
Caesars Virginia said construction continues on the permanent casino next door, with plans to open in late 2024.
The company said the $650 million permanent casino would feature:
- 500-room hotel
- Over 1,300 slot machines
- 85 live table games
- A 2,500-seat theater
- 40,000 square feet of meeting and convention space
- A spa
- Restaurants