Caesars Entertainment has formally launched a campaign to garner public support for a new casino in the city of Danville, Virginia.
Launched ahead of a public referendum on the venue’s construction, Caesars for Danville will look to promote the economic and employment benefits the project would bring to the city.
According to Caesars, the initiative would create bring 900 construction jobs and 1,300 operational jobs, as well as bring in $34m in additional annual tax revenue to the city.
“Caesars Entertainment has a long history of enriching the communities we serve, whether that be through our commitment to social responsibility or through our proven record of creating exhilarating experiences at our world-class resorts,” Caesars president and chief operating officer Anthony Carano said.
“Our diverse collection of destinations across the US are 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 people of Danville to enjoy.”
Danville selected Caesars as its preferred casino partner in May this year, to construct a $400m venue on the city’s Dan River Mills Schoolfield site, which it hopes to open 2023.
The location will feature at least 300 hotel rooms, a casino gaming floor, theatre, meeting and convention space, as well as a number of bars and restaurants, with plans in place to break ground late next year or early 2022.
It reminds subject to approval through the citywide referendum, with the question to be put to residents on the November 3 ballot.
Caesars has recruited a number of high-profile locals to serve as co-chairs for the campaign. These include Delegate Danny Marshall, Danville’s Mayor Alonzo Jones, Dr. Tiffany Franks of Averett University and Tammy Wright-Warren, a minority investor in the project.
The quartet of co-chairs will advise and support the campaign committee and its efforts to see the successful passage of the referendum later this year.
Mayor Jones said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our community and breathes life back into an old industrial site. I hope my fellow residents will join me in voting yes to bring Caesars to Danville.”
The proposed project was made possible following the passage of House Bill 4, which allowed for the construction of up to five brick-and-mortar facilities in the state.
Operators that open new casinos face a $15m license fee and taxed on a sliding scale. This would be set at 18% for gross revenue up to $200m, increasing to 30% for revenue exceeding $400m.
As set out in the bill, only cities with high property and unemployment rates, that are experiencing population decline, are eligible to host a new casino.
The new campaign comes after Caesars was last month acquired by Eldorado Resorts in a deal worth $17.3bn. The combined business is now operating under the Caesars Entertainment Inc. name.
Last week, Caesars Entertainment reported a $1.17bn net loss for the first half of the year.