DANVILLE, Va. — Caesar's Virginia and the City of Danville have agreed to some big changes regarding the casino resort set to open this year.
The total cost for the facility nearly doubled. Caesar's is now investing $750 million into the project.
Caesar's also dropped the number of expected jobs. At first, it agreed to a minimum of 1300. Now it'll create at least 900 but no more than 1300.
The city said it is difficult to find service industry workers right now and the change is in line with what the job market shows.
The city told WFMY News 2's Amber Lake that the site generated nearly $20 million in tax revenue in its first year.
When Caesar's Virginia is up and running, it will bring in about 12 million dollars a year for the city to use for economic development, quality of life, and so much more.
As the cash keeps rolling in at the temporary Danville casino... Caesar's Virginia is quickly nearing opening day.
The parking garage has taken shape, the roof is on and the floors are starting to go in.
City Manager Ken Larking says if construction continues like it has, the casino could open ahead of schedule. Potentially, even around Thanksgiving.
"They're doing a fantastic job meeting expectations, often exceeding expectations with regard to what they're doing and what they're planning to do. So we look forward to seeing, you know, the full project to be complete and how that's gonna impact our community going forward," said Larking.
Crime in the area:
You might remember, crime was a big concern prior to the opening.
The police department said it hasn't seen crime problems related to the casino. In total, police responded to about 40 criminal cases in the casino's efforts in North Carolina one of the state's top lawmakers says he doesn't expect the idea to come up this session.
Will NC get a casino?
Senate leader Phil Berger says he doesn't plan to reintroduce efforts to bring our 4 casinos to our state.
He led the charge on the idea in 2023. One of the proposed locations was in Rockingham County.
Talks eventually stalled out.
House Speaker Tim Moore says some lingering resentment over the casino talks last year will make it hard to expand gambling in any way this year.
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