Published on: October 30, 2024, 08:44h.
Last updated on: October 30, 2024, 08:44h.
Caesars Virginia in Danville is set to unveil its 90,000-square-foot casino floor featuring over 1,300 slot machines, 85 live dealer table games, 24 electronic tables, a World Series of Poker Room, and a Caesars Sportsbook before the end of 2024.
Officials from Caesars and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), joint developers and owners of the $750 million project, disclosed this week that the casino will debut in December, with the exact date to be announced.
The permanent casino will replace the temporary Danville Casino pavilion tent, known as the Future Home of Caesars Virginia. The temporary casino, operating 24/7 since mid-May 2023, offers 800 slots and 33 tables.
Occupying the former Dan River Inc.’s textile campus, Caesars Virginia is situated on land that was once the economic hub of Danville for over a century. The site was previously home to a textiles manufacturing company that was acquired by an India-based conglomerate in 2006, leading to its relocation overseas.
Upcoming Resort Opening
While the permanent casino at Caesars Virginia is set to open in December, the resort and hotel are expected to be completed in spring 2025. The 320-room hotel will feature a full-service spa, resort pool, 2,500-seat live entertainment venue, and 50,000 square feet of meeting and convention space.
Celebrity restaurateur Gordon Ramsay will be bringing his culinary expertise to the Virginia-North Carolina border town with Ramsay’s Kitchen offering signature dishes such as beef wellington.
Additionally, Caesars Virginia will house various other dining options, upscale lounges, and bars.
Room reservations at the casino are now open for bookings starting April 1, 2025. Prices start at $499 per night, excluding a $35 resort fee and taxes, resulting in a total price of $613.78 for a one-night stay. Alternatively, a room at the nearby Hampton Inn, including taxes and fees, is priced at $225 with complimentary breakfast.
Once opened, Caesars Virginia will be the third permanent casino to launch in Virginia, following Rivers Casino Portsmouth in January 2023 and the upcoming Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol on Nov. 14.
Construction on a casino resort in Norfolk has also begun, while Petersburg residents will decide on becoming a fifth casino host during the upcoming 2024 election.
Regional Growth
Caesars Virginia represents Caesars Entertainment’s significant investment in the regional gaming sector. The $750 million project in Danville comes with risks as the company recently reported a 13% decline in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) in their regional operations.
Caesars officials attributed the decline to challenging comparisons and construction disruptions in New Orleans, where they invested $325 million to rebrand Harrah’s to Caesars.
Looking ahead, Caesars executives are optimistic about the regional segment, with the opening of the Danville facilities and the completion of the New Orleans project.
As we look toward 2025, we will have tailwinds in New Orleans and Virginia that start to offset some of these competitive impacts in regional. So, we feel very good about the way ’25 looks versus the last two quarters in regional for us,” said Caesars CEO Tom Reeg.
During the company’s recent conference call, Reeg highlighted the success of the slots at the Danville casino pavilion tent, noting they deliver the highest win per position per day. However, with the opening of the permanent casino, the number of gaming positions will almost double, leading to increased expenses.