Caesars Virginia casino sets opening date

The Caesars Virginia resort casino in Danville will open Dec. 12, Nevada’s Caesars Entertainment announced Thursday.

A $750 million, 587,000-square-foot casino and resort hotel in Danville’s Schoolfield neighborhood, the permanent casino will replace the temporary Caesars casino that opened nearby in May 2023. According to Thursday’s announcement, the new casino — which will be the state’s third permanent casino and the most expensive yet — will have more than 90,000 square feet of gaming space with 1,500 slot machines, 79 live-action table games, 48 electronic table games, a poker room and sportsbook. The resort will have a 320-room hotel, 50,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, a 2,500-seat entertainment venue, a full-service spa and pool, and an array of restaurants and bars.

Announced earlier was the inclusion of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant, Ramsay’s Kitchen. Local developer Rick Barker and local restaurateur Steve Parry will be behind the 500 Block Food Hall with other dining options.

“Our property started out with just over 400 team members when the temporary facility opened last year, and we are on track to hire more than 1,200 by the time we open our doors in December,” Chris Albrecht, senior vice president and general manager of Caesars Virginia, said in a statement. “Through numerous hiring events in the region, training at facilities in Danville and overall support from local and state leaders as well as the business community, we are prepared to continue delivering the family style service that Caesars is known for to our guests in the new, beautiful destination resort.”

As of May 2023, the casino has paid more than $66 million in gaming taxes to the City of Danville and the state. Caesars Entertainment has partnered with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina and EBCI Holdings in the Danville casino’s ownership.

The cost of the casino, which was approved by Danville voters in 2020 following the state’s legalization of casino gaming, has grown from $400 million to $650 million and finally $750 million. In May, Danville City Council amended the agreement to reflect the higher cost.

Caesars said in Thursday’s announcement that it will release more details about the Dec. 12 grand opening ceremony as the date gets closer.

On Nov. 14, the $515 million Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol is set to host its grand opening with country music star Blake Shelton performing, and the Norfolk Casino’s groundbreaking took place in October. Rivers Casino Portsmouth opened its doors in January 2023, becoming the state’s first permanent casino. On Tuesday, Petersburg voters passed a casino referendum with more than 80% supporting the Cordish Cos. $1.4 billion Live! Casino & Hotel project, which will become the state’s fifth casino — and the final one, at least under current state law.