The Caesars Virginia casino project is set to meet its planned opening in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to recent updates from the Virginia Lottery. Ray Dunkle, the director of gaming operations for the Virginia Lottery, shared the latest progress at a Virginia Lottery Board meeting in Richmond.
Construction and Expansion Updates
Dunkle highlighted the ongoing advancements in the casino’s construction. “The permanent casino, the construction there is moving great,” Dunkle stated, as reported by Danville Register & Bee. He further emphasized the impressive changes on site, noting, “If we would go and stand in that same place right now, it would be a different look for sure.” The anticipated completion and opening of the permanent facility are still scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year.
Meanwhile, the temporary Danville Casino is also set for a significant upgrade. Dunkle revealed that the Virginia Lottery has authorized the addition of 50 new games and 16 scheduled projects at the temporary venue. This expansion includes 224 new games and eight additional tables. Currently, the temporary casino, which operates out of a tent-like structure, features 826 slot machines and 36 table games.
The fiscal year 2024 saw substantial revenue growth for Virginia’s three operational casinos. Danville Casino, HR Bristol, and Rivers Casino Portsmouth collectively generated about $673.9 million in adjusted revenue, a notable rise from $255.5 million in 2023. Deborah Courtney, the Virginia Lottery’s director of finance, shared these figures and provided updates on the casinos’ opening dates: Danville Casino in May 2023, HR Bristol in July 2022, and Rivers Casino Portsmouth in January 2023.
Additionally, tax revenue from these casinos totaled $123.76 million in 2024, a significant increase from nearly $46 million in 2023. The Caesars Virginia project, located on the former Schoolfield Mill site in Danville, represents a substantial $750 million investment. This figure is an increase from the original $400 million initially agreed upon in 2020.
However, the project’s employment target has been adjusted. The revised agreement with the Danville City Council, approved on May 7, now aims to create between 900 and 1,300 jobs, down from the initially promised 1,300 positions. The expansion and development continue to be closely monitored by the Virginia Lottery, ensuring that the project meets its revised goals and timelines.
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