Caesars Virginia sets December 17 for grand opening with Dennis Rodman to attend, several festivities

Caesars Virginia, the anticipated $750 million resort and casino in Danville’s Schoolfield neighborhood, will officially open its doors on December 17, five days later than previously announced. Caesars Entertainment revealed the updated date Friday afternoon, citing an unspecified delay.  

The grand opening will feature an appearance by retired NBA legend Dennis Rodman, who will lead a parade of race cars and supercars through Danville’s streets. The procession, starting at 10:15 a.m. at the corner of Main and Craghead streets, will end at the resort. Cars for the event are being supplied by Virginia International Raceway, Kaizen Autosport, and Foreign Cars Italia.  

Chris Albrecht, senior vice president and general manager of Caesars Virginia, acknowledged the slight delay, expressing gratitude for the community's patience. “The team has been working around the clock to officially open the doors of Caesars Virginia, and we cannot wait to begin welcoming guests on Dec. 17,” Albrecht said in a statement.  

Rodman, known for his tenure with the Chicago Bulls during their 1990s championship era, will not only lead the parade but also place a ceremonial first bet at Caesars Sportsbook when the resort officially opens at noon. Later in the evening, a fireworks and drone display will illuminate the skies above the resort and Danville’s Three Sisters smokestacks.  

The opening ceremony, set to begin at 11 a.m., will feature remarks by executives from Caesars Entertainment and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, along with local community leaders.  

The sprawling 587,000-square-foot resort will include over 90,000 square feet of gaming space, featuring 1,500 slot machines, 79 live-action table games, 48 electronic table games, and a dedicated poker room. Guests can also enjoy a sportsbook and Ramsay’s Kitchen, a restaurant by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.  

The facility boasts a 320-room luxury hotel, a full-service spa, and a pool. Additionally, its 50,000-square-foot convention space will double as a 2,500-seat entertainment venue. The new resort replaces the temporary Danville Casino, which opened in May 2023 and has contributed over $66 million in gaming taxes to the city and state.  

Caesars Virginia’s development follows a 2020 referendum in which 69% of Danville voters approved casino gaming. The resort is the third permanent casino in Virginia, joining Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, which debuted in November 2023.  

Located less than 80 miles from Raleigh, North Carolina, and 57 miles from Durham, the new resort is expected to attract regional attention. Caesars Virginia is a joint venture between Caesars Entertainment, EBCI Holdings, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.