Caesars Entertainment launched a new temporary casino in Danville, Virginia, in May 2023. Yet, the city's leaders are unbothered by North Carolina's current efforts to allow commercial casinos to operate.
The Danville Casino is a temporary gaming property that started operating in May. Still, the Caesars Virginia resort neighbors it, and its construction cost $650 million.
Caesars Entertainment is determined to venture into the border town's gaming market. Its integrated resort casino is one among the four casinos that Virginia authorized. Still, North Carolina politicians are deliberating passing a law that will permit three commercial casinos in Anson, Nash, and Rockingham counties.
Rockingham is near Virginia's border, neighboring Danville and north of Greensboro. Local leaders recently disclosed Caesars is a renowned brand in the country's gaming industry, and they are glad to have its subsidiary in their region. Lee Vogler, Danville City's Councilor, stated that they are eager to have more casinos, and they are unconcerned by the Tar Hell State's gaming legalization efforts.
Will Virginia's Casinos Face More Competition?
Virginia passed a new gaming law in 2020 that gave Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Richmond the greenlight to offer their residents an opportunity to decide whether their localities should host commercial casino resorts. Such a move would greatly boost their economies.
Danville's government kicked off a competitive and fair bidding process for one casino license. Caesars Entertainment won the bid and acquired the license.
The city held a gaming ballot in the November 2020 election asking voters if they would let Caesars develop an integrated resort casino on the former Dan River Mills textile campus' land. About 69 percent of the people supported the casino project.
Ken Larking, Danville City Manager, stated that Caesars won the license bid since it offered an irresistible economic growth opportunity for Danville. Besides, the brand's popularity gave it an edge over its competitors.
Larking added that local leaders were aware of North Carolina's likelihood of legalizing commercial gaming sites. Besides, he is confident that Caesars Virginia will continue dominating South Virginia's gaming industry and attract North Carolina's players. Still, the neighboring state might have several commercial gaming operators soon.
The city manager disclosed that besides being famous, Caesars Entertainment has a broad clientele in North Carolina, a key reason why Danville awarded it the gaming opportunity. Larking said that the gaming company runs two out of three tribal casinos in North Carolina for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
They include Harrah's Cherokee Valley River and Harrah's Cherokee and are in the southwestern region of North Carolina. Gary Miller, Danville Vice Mayor, reiterated that the city can withstand competition from a North Carolina gaming site as it will have a high-end casino.
More Details About Caesars Virginia
Caesars Virginia launched the temporary Danville Casino in mid-May this year. It has 25 table games and 768 slot machines. Reports show that the property made $18.9 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in its first month of operation.
