Caesars Entertainment has recently introduced “Caesars For Danville,” an official committee and campaign aiming to bring casino gambling to the city of Virginia.
According to the announcement made on August 12th, four co-chairs have been appointed to act as intermediaries between Caesars Entertainment and the residents of Danville. Their role will include providing guidance to the campaign committee and assisting in the promotion of initiatives aimed at passing the Caesars Virginia referendum in November.
The co-chairs include:
- Danny Marshall, a member of the Republican Party representing Danville, serves in the Virginia House of Delegates.
- Alonzo Jones, Danville mayor
- The president of Averett University is Tiffany Franks.
- Tammy Wright-Warren, an investor with a minority stake in the project.
Located on the border of North Carolina, Danville can be found in the south-central region of Virginia.
In May, Caesars was selected by city officials as the preferred casino operator. This decision came a month after the Virginia General Assembly passed a bill legalizing both casino gambling and sports betting. All betting activities within the commonwealth will be overseen and regulated by the Virginia Lottery.
Should the November referendum in Danville prove successful, Caesars anticipates commencing construction in late 2021 or early 2022, with the casino slated to be operational by 2025.
Conflict of interest for Danville politicians?
Could the inclusion of two elected officials on the Caesars committee pose a conflict of interest, considering that Caesars Virginia is becoming part of the increasing trend of public-private partnerships in the gaming industry?
After the committee announcement, Mayor Jones, who has been serving as Danville’s mayor since 2018, responded to these concerns. To ensure the ethical aspects of his involvement, Jones sought guidance from Danville City Attorney Clarke Whitfield. According to reports, Whitfield assured Jones that his participation was completely appropriate.
Situated at the Dan River Mills industrial complex, the proposed Danville casino will occupy the premises of the 85-acre site, which presently presents a multitude of derelict and abandoned buildings.
During the announcement, Jones stated:
We have a rare chance to revitalize our community by bringing Caesars to Danville. This opportunity breathes new life into an abandoned industrial site and I urge my fellow residents to join me in voting yes.
If a referendum is successful, Danville will have the opportunity to construct a casino, joining a group of five localities facing economic challenges.
Casino partners have been selected by Bristol, Norfolk, and Portsmouth. Furthermore, these cities are scheduled to hold referendums in November. In contrast, the residents of Richmond will cast their votes in 2021.
Potential impact of Caesars Virginia
The planned Caesars Virginia project, with an estimated cost of $400 million, is set to offer an array of impressive amenities. This includes over 300 luxurious hotel rooms and a conference center spanning 35,000 square feet. Moreover, it will boast a cutting-edge arena with a seating capacity of 2,500. Beyond these, the project aims to provide a spa, pool, fitness center, as well as various dining establishments, bars, and an assortment of entertainment choices.
The proposed Danville casino shall encompass slot machines, table games, and poker tables, along with the addition of a sportsbook in its plans.
With an approximate population of 40,000, Danville in Pittsylvania County was renowned as the “City of Churches” and served as a prosperous center for tobacco, textiles, and transportation. Nevertheless, in recent challenging times, Danville has taken significant strides towards establishing alternative foundations to revive its struggling economy.
Officials have disclosed that the Caesars Virginia project will not only generate 900 temporary construction jobs but also provide 1,300 permanent operational positions. These roles will come with a range of benefits and annual salaries ranging from $35,000 to $47,000.
In addition, Caesars officials emphasized that the project would contribute $34 million in gaming tax revenue each year. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission of Virginia also disclosed that the state’s five casinos could collectively generate close to $1 billion in net gaming revenue.
Co-chair Marshall, an 18-year Virginia delegate, expressed that the development of a world-class resort in Danville is the subsequent phase in our economic revival. Marshall believes that this undertaking holds the potential to significantly change our region and therefore, it merits our backing.
Residents of Danville will have the opportunity to cast their votes on November 3rd, as the official voting day. Early voting will begin on September 18th.
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