CASINO

Danville is seeing a big economic boost.

The City of Danville will receive about $1 million in tax revenue.

Danville business owners say they've seen increased business due to casino.

The City Council voted to expand the sale of alcohol to 24/7 inside the casino.

Caesars Virginia is hiring all types of positions to try and get the temporary casino up and running.

Caesars Casino leaders held a hiring event for dealer trainees on Wednesday.

A new operator, Hard Rock International, is now running the iconic Mirage resort on the Las Vegas Strip.

Competing measures to allow sports gambling in California have lost big despite the most expensive ballot question races in U.S. history.

A campaign that could bring legalized sports betting to California has become the most expensive ballot-initiative fight in U.S. history.

The new 500-room hotel and state-of-the-art convention center will sit on the site of the former Dan River Mills Textile Plant.

On Thursday at about 9:30 a.m., Caesars Virginia held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $650 million casino that’s headed to Danville.

On Wednesday, Caesars Entertainment Inc. and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians announced their partnership in the development of the center, Caesars Virginia, and their construction officially begins this week.

Plans for the construction of a casino in Danville are one step closer to a reality.

The Richmond City Council has voted to hold a referendum on building a casino.

DANVILLE, Va. – The Caesars Entertainment casino and resort complex is moving forward, step by step. Caesars plans to break ground on the entertainment complex later this year with an estimated completion date of 2023. Although the site still looks as it did after the casino plans won approval from Danville voters this past November, city manager Ken Larking is encouraged by the progress behind the scenes. Every step of the way is exciting, because it gets us closer to getting the resort up and running.”AdBusiness owner Rose Shields is also hopeful for the casino. We are preparing, when that casino is open, that we will grow even bigger than we are now,” Shields said.

FILE - This Aug. 2, 2005 file photo shows the Venetian Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Las Vegas Sands is selling the real estate and operations of its Venetian casino resort and Sands Expo and Convention Center to VICI Properties and Apollo Global Management in a deal worth $6.25 billion. Under Adelson, the company's focus turned to Asia years ago, where revenue eventually outpaced even the operations on the Las Vegas Strip. AdThe global pandemic broadsided Las Vegas, shuttering the Strip where Las Vegas Sands has been the biggest operator for years. The Venetian, located on the Las Vegas Strip, has three luxury hotel towers with gaming, entertainment, shopping and dining.

DANVILLE, Va – City leaders in Danville say a majority of funding from the recently approved plans for a new casino will go toward education. After the casino referendum was passed late last year, a committee got to work asking how the community thought the new revenue should be spent. The next priorities after education include economic development and expanding opportunities for new jobs. The thing that we want to focus in on is setting ourselves apart from other communities so that we can be a community of choice,” explained Danville City Manager Ken Larking. He said Danville City Council will have meetings with the school board to discuss the funding.

DANVILLE, Va. – The city of Danville now has $15 million more to its name. On Tuesday, Caesars Virginia LLC presented Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones with the check. “Today, we take another step forward in our partnership with Caesars Virginia,” Jones said at the ceremony. During next week’s city council meeting on Dec. 15, the council is scheduled to formally consider accepting and appropriating the money. To determine how the remaining $9 million will be spent, Danville City Council has been listening to public input.

DANVILLE, Va. – The city of Danville will soon receive $15 million from the company behind its new casino. The Investing in Danville Committee met virtually on Thursday for the first time since the Caesars Entertainment complex was approved by voters on Election Day. Caesars will pay the city $15 million dollars by the end of the year, which committee member Ann Stratton said is a “historic investment” for Danville. $6 million will go towards a new Danville Police Department headquarters. The remaining $9 million could be spent on anything within the city of Danville.

DANVILLE, VA. – Danville City Council is moving forward with its plans to bring a Caesars resort and casino to the River City. This comes following an overwhelming “yes” vote to a casino referendum on Election Day. A committee is already working on deciding how to spend the first $15 million from Caesars, which is expected to be paid upfront to the city sometime soon. “We’re going to work closely with them through the permitting process, through the development process, all that kind of stuff. So we’re all kind of working together to make sure things happen as smoothly and quickly as possible," Larking said.

DANVILLE, Va. – Danville voters delivered a big win for Caesars Entertainment’s planned casino on Election Day. The company aims to break ground on the $400 million project next year with a scheduled opening date of 2023. Former Caesars CEO Tony Rodio, who is advising the company on the Danville project, said he’s elated to become part of the Danville community. “2023 can’t come soon enough," said John Mason, who owns the Foxglove boutique shop across Main Street from the planned casino site. It’s a win-win situation for everybody involved.”Caesars confirmed the casino will also have a sportsbook for betting on games.

While many eyes will be on the presidential race four different items to pay close attention to are casino votes across Virginia. Voters in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth all have the chance to either approve or reject a casino being built in their city. Interested in the results of other races? Use the picker below:Find Race ResultsGet the latest Virginia Election news here

DANVILLE, Va. – Danville voters are days away from determining whether to bring a Caesars casino to the city. Caesars Entertainment’s proposal to build an entertainment complex at the former Schoolfield Dan River Mills site depends on a voter referendum. Former Caesars Entertainment CEO Tony Rodio currently works as a special advisor for the company. Rodio said Caesars chose Danville because of its revitalization efforts and its proximity to North Carolina. I think 25 years from now, Danville will be a regional hub for people who want to get away.”

DANVILLE, Va. – The stage is now set in Danville for citizens to make the final vote on whether or not they’ll allow a casino in their city. Tuesday night, Danville City Council approved a performance agreement with Caesars Entertainment, which promises to bring millions of dollars and quality jobs to the region. This is the latest step in helping shape the Danville of the future - one that could include a casino. City Council agreed to what the city stands to gain from Caesars Entertainment in exchange for allowing a casino resort at the old schoolfield site. Some corporate Caesars employees will be in town Thursday to provide information and celebrate this milestone with Danville city leaders.

DANVILLE, Va. – A campaign is underway to promote the casino that could be built in Danville. Caesars announced the campaign Wednesday. The campaign also has four local leaders serving as co-chairs to help the company connect with the community. In November, residents will vote whether or not they want to allow Caesars to open a casino in Danville. “I like to think of it as a grassroots, boots-on-the-ground kind of campaign,” said Tony Rodio, who’s overseeing the effort.

DANVILLE, Va. – Will there be a casino built in Danville? After years of discussions, the issue will now go to the voters. Late Thursday afternoon, Judge Joseph Milam issued the order that official places the referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot. Here’s how the yes or no question will read:“Shall casino gaming be permitted at a casino gaming establishment in the City of Danville, Virginia, at 1100 West Main Street, Danville, Virginia 24541(former Dan River Mills Schoolfield Division Site) as approved by the Virginia Lottery Board?” Danville casino referendum on Nov. 3 ballotThe court found that the referendum question adequately identifies the location of the proposed casino gaming establishment and is worded as required by Virginia Code. [If Danville gets a casino, it will be a Caesars]Earlier in the week, the Danville City Council had voted to petition the court by resolution, asking that a referendum be placed on the ballot.

DANVILLE, Va. – For John Mason, part owner of a clothing store across the street from the former Dan River Mills Schoolfield site, feelings about the potential $400 million casino are mixed. Maybe the husbands will go and be entertained at the casino while the wives are shopping.”Opinions are also mixed among other residents. Danville could get Caesars casino“It’s going to bring trouble and someone’s going to suffer and they shouldn’t have to," said John Holt. Eileen Lau said, “Danville doesn’t need more crime and violence.”Sonny York said, “Yea(sic) like a casino is going to make a crime ridden town better.”Mason, however, believes a casino could actually help control crime. Town halls are expected to be held prior to Election Day in November when Danville residents will vote to either allow or not allow a casino to open.

Video released by Caesars Entertainment depicts a large parking lot, a row of fountains and of course big, shiny buildings. “We are particularly excited about the 35,000 square-foot convention center...and the 2,500 seat live entertainment venue and what those amenities will mean for the city of Danville," Caesars Entertainment Jacqueline Grace said. The city is not officially for or against a casino, but at Monday’s announcement Danville Mayor Alonzo Jones was not shy about what a casino would mean for the city. City leaders announced that they’re in negotiations with Caesars Entertainment to be the city’s preferred casino gaming operator. Before voters will see a referendum on their ballot, Danville City Council still has to allow the referendum to happen.

DANVILLE, Va. – We could know soon who will build a casino in Danville if a referendum passes in November. Danville City Manager Ken Larking said Thursday that city council members will likely decide on a company in the next few weeks. Studies suggest a casino could bring millions of people and hundreds of millions of dollars a year to Danville and create thousands of jobs. But the city Council will likely vote to have a resolution to have it put on the ballot in November. We are getting guidance right now from the state and our city attorney to help us decide when that should happen," Larking said.

DANVILLE, Va. – A casino in Danville is still far from a sure bet, which is why the Danville Regional Foundation decided to do a study. The Danville Regional Foundation's study calculated tax revenue for the city based on state tax rates of 10 and 15 percent. Danville City Council Member Dr. Gary Miller said that’s lower than what the city has been using. The Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee study assumed a state tax of 27 percent. Danville Regional Foundation studyJLARC studyConvergence study

DANVILLE, Va. – The city Danville is officially seeking development proposals for a potential casino. According to a news release, the city issued a request for proposals on Monday. Companies interested developing and operating a casino in Danville can submit plans to the city until 4 p.m. on Jan. 13. State legislators are considering allowing a casino to be built in Bristol, Danville, and Portsmouth. If a referendum is allowed, it would likely be on the ballot in November.

DANVILLE, Va. – A new study is helping Danville prepare for a potential casino. It details possible locations for a casino, different types of casinos and their economic impacts. City leaders just wanted to look at the impact of a casino at four locations. The General Assembly is expected to decide in the next session if Danville, Bristol, and Portsmouth can hold referendums so the cities’ residents can decide if they want a casino in their city or not. If we have some expertise helping guide us through that process then we’ll make the best selection possible," Danville City Manager Ken Larking said.