Caesars breaks ground on Danville casino, unveils partnership with Cherokee Indians for the project in Virginia

Caesars Entertainment and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians announced Wednesday a partnership in the development of Caesars Virginia, which officially breaks ground in Danville this week. The $650 million project “will be a tourism engine and economic driver for Danville and the broader region," the parties said. 

The full-service entertainment facility is set to create "thousands" of construction and operational jobs, and is scheduled to open in late 2024. It will include a 500-room hotel and a world-class casino gaming floor with over 1,300 slots, 85 live table games, 24 electronic table games, a WSOP poker room and a Caesars Sportsbook.

In addition, the resort will feature a full-service spa, pool, high-quality bars and restaurants, a 2,500-seat live entertainment theater and 40,000 square feet of meeting and convention space.

Today, we announce that the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians joins @CaesarsEnt as a Joint Venture Partner in the $650 million Caesars Virginia development. The project is set to break ground this week: https://t.co/zcZZBIe7BS pic.twitter.com/YvegLQ910c

— Caesars Virginia (@CaesarsVirginia) August 10, 2022

Caesars will serve as the manager of the casino, and will partner up with EBCI and a local minority investor in the joint venture. The Caesars Sportsbook app is already live and available for download and registration throughout Virginia.

"Upon its completion in 2024, Caesars Virginia will attract visitation from new customers and existing members of the Caesars Rewards player loyalty program who reside in the broader Danville region and across the country," the company said.

A before and after look of what will soon be the brand new home of Caesars Virginia. The contractor (D.H. Griffin Wrecking Co.) has recycled more than 200,000 tons of concrete and 3,000 tons of steel from the structure and surrounding area. Stay tuned for more updates. pic.twitter.com/j5BY3m1FIL

— Caesars Virginia (@CaesarsVirginia) July 18, 2022

Anthony Carano, President and Chief Operating Officer for Caesars Entertainment, said: “We are excited to build a world-class Caesars resort in Danville with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, a valued partner of Caesars Entertainment for more than 20 years."

“Caesars' diverse collection of destinations across the US is synonymous with unparalleled service, impressive benefits through our Caesars Rewards loyalty program, superstar entertainment talent and culinary excellence. We will bring these same phenomenal offerings to the Danville region for people to enjoy," he added. 

Richard Sneed, Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, also commented: “This venture is a vital opportunity for our nation and our people. We are excited to be expanding our longstanding and successful partnership with Caesars Entertainment to develop a first-class resort that will be defined by luxury and services that Caesars guests have known and come to expect."

Caesars' Robert Livingston at the Danville casino groundbreaking

The project was originally scheduled for completion in December 2023. Back in May, it was announced that it was going to be pushed back due to supply chain issues and labor shortages, with Robert Livingston, Senior VP for Development for Caesars Entertainment describing the original date as "an unrealistic goal." 

“We’ve seen supply chain issues and other market forces that continue to wreak havoc on pricing. But none of this has altered our commitment to Danville, which remains as strong as ever," he stated at the time.