History
In 2020, Virginia legislators passed a bill allowing the establishment of casinos. Still, they limited the option to five eligible host cities: Portsmouth, Richmond, Norfolk, Danville, and Bristol. An additional condition was set that each city must hold a referendum on the question of whether to allow casino gaming in the city.[6]
Plans for the casino in Danville started in December 2019 when the city of Danville began seeking proposals of a possible casino that must included either the White Mill or Schoolfield site.[7] In August 2020, the Danville City Council gave unanimous approval to Caesars Entertainment's proposed $400 million premier resort and casino plan.[8] On September 3, 2020, the city of Danville and Caesars Entertainment officials signed a development agreement for a resort casino at the former Dan River Mills industrial complex in Schoolfield.[9][10] In November 2020, Danville voters approved the casino referendum, with 13,022 voting Yes (69%) to 5,941 voting No (29%).[11] In August 2022, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians announced a joint venture with Caesars Entertainment on a revised $650 million project to develop Caesars Virginia.[3] Construction on Caesars Virginia began the same month, slated to be completed in late 2024.[12] Three historic smokestacks from the original mill will be retained as part of the plan.[13]
In November 2022, Caesars Entertainment announced plans to open a temporary casino in Danville by Mid-2023[14] In April 2023, the Virginia Lottery Board issued a facility operator's license to Caesars Virginia to operate Virginia's third casino.[15] On May 15, 2023, the 40,000-square-foot (3,700 m2) temporary Danville Casino was opened. Resembling a large white tent on the outside, the temporary facility includes eight sportsbook betting kiosks, 740 slot machines, 25 live table games, 28 electronic table games, and a quick-service restaurant called Three Stacks.[16]
