The Casino Club played a pivotal role in reviving The Greenbrier following its 2010 bankruptcy emergence. Now, after 16 years, the proprietors of “America’s Resort” find themselves in a race against the clock to refinance outstanding loans and prevent the White Sulphur Springs property from falling into the hands of Omni Hotels.
Jim Justice, a coal magnate, former West Virginia governor, and current U.S. Senator (R-WV), has owned The Greenbrier since taking over the struggling resort in 2009. The Justice family’s intervention preserved countless jobs at the financially troubled destination.
Currently, The Greenbrier is reportedly generating a modest operational profit, but it grapples with $289.5 million in loans that became due in April. The resort faces escalating debt, negative working capital, and is behind on tax obligations.
Omni Eyes Potential Acquisition
The $289.5 million loan matured on April 1, 2026. On April 17, a lawsuit was initiated by the debt’s holder, White Sulphur Springs Holdings, an affiliate of Omni Hotels. Omni operates The Greenbrier’s main competitor, The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa, located in nearby Hot Springs, VA.
The Justice family sourced the loan from Virginia-based Carter Bank, which later transferred the debt to White Sulphur Springs Holdings, an action that the Justices’ attorneys contest in court filings should not have occurred.
While Omni, represented by White Sulphur Springs, has lodged a federal lawsuit seeking to assume control of The Greenbrier, the Justices have countersued in state court, alleging that deceptive practices facilitated the acquisition of the $289.5 million debt in what they label a “fraudulent conspiracy.”
The Greenbrier’s legal team is seeking a court extension until Aug. 7, 2026, to finalize a $500 million financing agreement with New York private equity firm Kennedy Lewis Investment Management. This capital would address the debt held by Omni, settle other liabilities, and fund crucial renovations for the hotel.
As of now, courts have yet to make a decision on the requested case extensions.
Risk for The Greenbrier Casino
Similar to The Greenbrier, The Homestead has faced its own financial hurdles and numerous ownership changes over the years. Omni acquired the iconic property in 2013 and infused $150 million into extensive renovations.
In contrast to the Justice family, who invested in a casino at The Greenbrier to spur revenue growth, Omni focused on making The Homestead more family-friendly, introducing an outdoor water park called Allegheny Springs, featuring a 400-foot-long lazy river and two 100-foot water slides.
If Omni succeeds in acquiring The Greenbrier, The Casino Club’s future may hang in the balance. The luxury hotelier does not currently operate any resorts with casinos in its portfolio.
Founded by Robert Rowling, Omni is a privately held hotel company still under family control. The Rowling family is notable for their significant contributions to the Republican Party and conservative ventures, with the family patriarch being described as a devoted evangelical Christian.
The Rowling Foundation seeks to “proclaim the name of Jesus Christ throughout the world,” and evangelical Christians broadly oppose gambling, with the National Association of Evangelicals denouncing it as a “social evil that feeds upon greed.”