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The statute authorizing casino gaming in Virginia, which was signed into law in March 2020, provides an opportunity for each of the five potential resort host communities within the Commonwealth to approve or disapprove casino gaming within their borders. Danville will realize Caesars Virginia’s jobs, tax revenue, investment, local purchasing, and tourism benefits only after Danville voters approve the casino question on the November 2020 ballot.
The General Assembly requires that Danville voters approve casino gaming on Election Day, November 3. This is the vote to bring a full-featured casino resort to the City. Last year, voters approved a separate referendum limited only to allowing a pari-mutuel horseracing facility in Danville.
Our campaign is honored to have support from a diverse coalition of leaders in the City and is led by four honorary co-chairs: Delegate Danny Marshall, Mayor Alonzo Jones, Averett University President Tiffany Franks, and Negril, Inc. COO Tammy Wright-Warren (who is also an investor in the project).
In the coming weeks, we will also be announcing members of our campaign steering committee. These individuals have strong ties across the community and will help to share our message of how Caesars will bring jobs, tourism, and entertainment to Danville.
Danville is an ideal community and location for multiple reasons. The most important is the character of the host city. Danville has been working hard on its renaissance and its civic leaders, community, and constituents are committed to that upward trajectory. Caesars looks forward to participating in the Danville story and Danville’s continued success. Additionaly, Danville provided an opportunity for a regional expansion opportunity into an underserved market area. Approximately 10.5 million people live within three hours of the proposed resort. Caesars Entertainment thrives in areas where we can market and grow our industry-leading Caesars Rewards database and bring new customers the excitement of a Caesars resort.
Danville was the only city in Virginia to conduct an open, competitive RFP process, which allowed Danville to compare the plans that different operators proposed. The City selected Caesars at the conclusion of this months-long review.
We are working on the design and development phase of the project now, and that will continue through the successful passage of the referendum. We hope to begin construction in the second half of 2021, and welcome our first guests to the resort in late 2023.
Our plan is to open the entire resort — including the hotel, restaurants and bars, live entertainment venue, meeting facility and casino — at the same time.
Caesars Virginia will be a regional integrated resort that will include many opportunities for non-gamers. The resort will have a full complement of restaurants including fine dining, fast casual and casual restaurants. The live entertainment venue will seat up 2,500 people and we plan to have amazing live music and other similar acts perform throughout the year. The hotel will have a full service spa that will be open to non-hotel guests.
The short answer is “a lot.” In short, the agreement allows Caesars and the City to set the tone for how they will work together. Importantly, it also includes a number of important commitments made to the City by Caesars: capital investment of $400 million; creation of 1,300 jobs; development of a 2,500-seat live entertainment venue and a 35,000 sq. ft. conference center; payment of an ongoing subsidy to the City (expected to reach $12 million after several years); and many more.
The resort will generate between 1.7 and 2 million visits throughout the year. We expect that most of these visitors will be coming from North Carolina and other states in the region. The number of weekly visits will fluctuate, depending on the time of year and planned events.
Although this was a functioning industrial site for many years, we are not aware of any environmental concerns.
Commercial casino legalization in North Carolina is a possibility. Caesars has taken a multi-faceted approach to address the challenges of new competition. First, we have proposed a resort development and business plan that is resilient to increased competition by not being reliant on a single source of revenue or type of guest. Our non-gaming amenities, including live entertainment, a meeting and conference center, and amazing restaurants and bars will position the resort to continue to attract visitation.
Second, Caesars has the largest loyalty rewards program, Caesars Rewards, in the casino industry. We will use the rewards database to target and market to customers, and make them compelling offers that will encourage repeat visitation.
Absolutely. Initially, the resort will generate 900 construction jobs. Once it is open, it will employ 1,300 or more people, with a strong emphasis on hiring locally and purchasing with local businesses. Through the Caesars Rewards program, we will partner with local businesses – restaurants, shops, and museums – and encourage our guests to spend time and money outside of the resort.
Caesars Virginia will provide Danville businesses as well as businesses throughout the region an unprecedented opportunity to bid on hundreds of millions of dollars annually in goods and services contracts necessary to build the resort, and to furnish and operate it after it opens.
It takes a wide range of goods and services to operate a Caesars resort. Here’s a representative sample of the kinds of things Caesars Virginia will purchase:
Food: Meat, Poultry, Seafood, Dairy, Dry Goods, Produce, Frozen Products, Bakery Items, Canned Goods, Condiments Ethnic Foods, Specialty Items
Beverages: Tea, Liquor, Wine, Beer, Water, Coffee, Juices
General Equipment, Machinery, and Supplies: Housekeeping, Office Supplies, Audio Visual, Sound & Lighting, Banquet, Computer & Peripherals, Security/ Surveillance, Cell Phones, Marina, Signage, Restaurant
Gaming Equipment, Machinery, and Supplies: Slot Machines, Table Games, Casino Gaming, Slot & Table Signage
Engineering/Facilities: Maintenance & Repair Supplies, Tools, Heavy Equipment
Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment: Artwork, Carpeting, Drapery, Furniture, Glass/Mirror, Upholstery, Wall Coverings, Floor Coverings
Operating Inventories and Supplies: China, Glassware, Flatware, Linen, Uniforms, Cleaning Chemicals, Guest Room Amenities, F&B Disposables, Hotel Supplies, Kitchen Supplies
Retail: Accessories, Apparel, Art, Cosmetics/Fragrances, Gifts, Jewelry, Lingerie, Logo Apparel, Clothing, Toys & Games, Shoes, Souvenirs, Gift/ Specialty Items
Construction/Contracting: Architects, Engineers, General Contractors
General Services: Consulting, Staffing, Advertising, Printing, Repairs & Maintenance, Janitorial, Shipping & Freight
Caesars has a strong history of seeking out local, diverse, and small businesses in its host communities. This investment helps to develop local businesses, leading a stronger and more viable local economy. Caesars works with companies of all sizes, on a local, regional and national basis.
In addition to benefiting from the jobs and amenities associated with this project, the City of Danville will receive tens of millions in new tax revenue that can be invested in local priorities, such as education, public safety, and further economic development.
Following passage of the November 3 referendum, Caesars will make an upfront payment of $20 million to the City. City Council has engaged a consultant to assist in determining the best use of these one-time funds.
Within three years of opening, the resort is expected to generate $22 million in gaming taxes annually for the City. In addition, Caesars has agreed to pay an additional subsidy to the City – above and beyond the gaming taxes – based on the resort’s gaming revenues. This annual subsidy is estimated to be $12 million after five years. The resort is also expected to generate more than $4 million in other local taxes, including property, meals, and hotel occupancy taxes.
The City has recently hired a strategic consultant to determine the highest and best uses for both the tax revenue and ongoing subsidy payments that Caesars will be paying. We expect that the resort will generate approximately $38 million dollars annually for the city .
No. It will be up to City Council to determine the best way to invest those funds. The City recently engaged a consultant to assist with that decision-making process.
You can do anything or be anything with the Caesars Entertainment family of affiliated casinos, resorts, and venues, from delighting guests on the casino floor to managing financial transactions or even designing the Casino of the Future. It’s our mission to inspire grown-ups to play! We create memorable experiences, personalize rewards, and delight every guest, every team member, every time
Caesars Virginia will utilize a wide range of skill sets, experiences and backgrounds. We will have opportunities that range from entry level stewarding to dealing cards to director of finance and accounting. We also provide ample training and career development that allow our team members to grow within the resort and across the organization. Click here to learn more about working for Caesars Entertainment
Caesars commitment to employees is key to our delivering great customer service and experiences. Part of that commitment involves growth and progress from our many employment opportunities. Many of our team members are promoted from within and have successfully built withstanding careers. We provide training and benefit packages that include paid time off, 401K options, discounted medical insurance, service celebrations and more.
We stand behind our Code of Commitment for our team members, guests, and communities. Our six core values guide our strategies and how we work as a team: caring culture, celebrate success, integrity, diversity, service with passion and ownership.
The total compensation for a full-time position at Caesars Virginia (including wages, tips, and benefits) is expected to be $50,000 and $55,000.
Employees at Caesars Virginia will take advantage of some of the best benefits in the industry, as Caesars provides a comprehensive package of employee benefits that includes:
Our goal is to hire as many qualified candidates as we can from the local community. Before Election Day, we will be hosting virtual informational job sessions to discuss all of the different job opportunities, career paths within the company, benefit packages and hiring practices.
Approximately a year before the opening the date, Caesars Virginia will begin its employee recruitment process.
Caesars Virginia will be good for Danville. Caesars and the rest of the casino industry have excellent track records of benefiting host communities, a finding confirmed in independent assessments by many scholars and government agencies.
Caesars Virginia will bring the same benefits to Danville that casino resorts have brought to dozens of similar communities across the nation and around the world:
Equally important, Caesars Virginia will bring these benefits without changing the character of Danville.
Based on the experience of other cities in the United States that host casino resorts, Caesars Virginia is likely to have a modest, positive impact on local property values. Studies confirm that the opening of a casino resort increases both residential and commercial property values, especially where they’re needed most, in economically challenged rural or urban areas.
Community leaders overwhelmingly believe that casinos are good for their communities – eight in ten (79 percent) community leaders in a recent survey say casinos’ overall impact on their community has been positive. Many community leaders credit casinos with restoring vibrancy to local neighborhoods.
This project is a partnership among Caesars Entertainment, the City of Danville, and Danville residents. We will seek and look forward to hearing citizen input during the design and development process. Throughout the design process, we will work to prevent any negative impacts on the community. These might include design and operational features related to traffic, building heights and fit, light and sound.
The city has initiated a preliminary traffic study and we are advising the firm conducting the study on our potential uses. As we progress through the design and site plan work, we will update the traffic study and mitigation plan.
Our initial design incorporates themes and aesthetics from the Schoolfield area, including the smoke stacks, red brick and overall industrial design. As we refine this design, the previous uses and history of the site will continue to be top of mind. Finally, our design process will include a complete study of the light and sound impacts of the development. After the referendum passes, we will provide more information regarding community input opportunities and processes.
In discussing its selection of Caesars, the City focused on the Caesars Rewards loyalty program and the company’s ability to attract out-of-town visitors to Danville. We have already begun working with the City on traffic studies in order to plan for and accommodate the additional car trips associated with locating a resort at Schoolfield, and minimize any potential inconvenience for local residents.
Throughout this process, the City has expected a casino operator to bear the cost of development. Caesars is committed to doing so and is partnering with the City to ensure that tax revenue from the resort is reinvested in the West Main corridor between the North Carolina line and Schoolfield.
Founded in 1937, Caesars Entertainment is the largest gaming and entertainment company in the U.S., with the most diversified collection of destinations across the country. Boasting many of the world’s most prestigious gaming brands, including Caesars Palace®, Harrah’s®, Horseshoe®, Eldorado®, Silver Legacy®, Circus Circus® Reno and Tropicana®, among many others, Caesars Entertainment is the global leader in gaming and hospitality. While each of our over 55 world-class resorts offer its own unique amenities, all share a common goal of providing unparalleled service and exhilarating experiences. Our offerings include the finest restaurants, the biggest entertainment, elite meeting and convention facilities, and unparalleled shopping.
Caesars Entertainment is committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR). CSR provides direction for every employee at Caesars Entertainment to act with integrity and care for our colleagues, communities and the environment. The organization prioritizes supporting the communities where employees live and work through volunteer programs and other philanthropic efforts.
Code Green, Caesars’ environmental sustainability strategy, ensures we operate sustainably wherever we do business. The strategy has been in place since 2007 and drives our performance: reducing water use and energy consumption, mitigating climate change, and reducing & recycling waste.
Click here for more information about sustainability and Caesars.
Around the world, Caesars invested $69 million in our communities in 2018. The Caesars Foundation donates to dozens of organizations each year and has donated more than $76M since its inception. Individual properties also have philanthropic activities and have volunteer programs for employees, friends and families. We look forward to encouraging our employees to be active in support of causes that improve the quality of life in Danville.
Click here to learn about the Caesars Foundation and its funding priorities.
We see Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as a business imperative. Since 2017 we’ve been taking innovative steps to embed diversity, equity & inclusion policies, practices and goals across our operations. In 2018, the majority of our workforce came from diverse backgrounds and 33% of our manager roles and higher were held by people from diverse backgrounds. 51% of our workforce in 2018 was composed of women, with 44% of manager and higher roles held by women.
We have received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index 13 years in a row, demonstrating our commitment to LGBTQ rights.
As part of our Responsible Supplier guidelines, we partner with diverse suppliers (minority- and women-owned or disadvantaged business enterprises, or MWDBEs), local businesses and sustainable companies in our communities. Supplier diversity creates a competitive advantage and we remain unwavering in our commitment to ensuring that it is an integral part of our business strategy, procurement process, and marketing initiatives.
Caesars Danville will be incorporated into the world’s largest gaming distribution network and most recognized and preferred loyalty program, called Caesars Rewards. The program consists of the richest database of consumer gaming behavior, with over 55 million members worldwide.
The Caesars Rewards program is structured in tiers, providing customers an incentive to consolidate their gaming and entertainment spending at Caesars Entertainment casinos and resorts. Customers earn status within the Caesars Rewards program based on their level of engagement with Caesars Entertainment in a calendar year through both gaming and hospitality expenditures.
Caesars Rewards boasts unparalleled options for customers to earn and redeem reward credits, which are the currency of the program. Reward credits are primarily earned through game play and hospitality purchases on property, but they may be redeemed outside our facilities. In recent years, Caesars Rewards has expanded its network of partner relationships to give customers more opportunity to earn and redeem options.
Caesars Virginia looks forward to working with local businesses and attractions in and around Danville. We want our guests to experience both the resort as well as the host community. We have created programs that allow for our guests to utilize and accrue Caesars Rewards points in local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, cultural attractions, recreational attractions, and others. This program has been very successful in our other markets and we look forward to participation by Danville businesses.
Our design, development and construction process will start soon after the referendum passes. During that development time, we will be engaging with the community on various fronts to further our relationships. As we identify the key leaders for the resort, their contact information will be available for interested parties to contact and get information regarding integration into the Caesars Rewards Network.
About a third of American adults visit a casino at least once a year – whether or not they choose to gamble while they are there. While casinos appeal to adults of all ages, and contrary to conventional wisdom, casino gambling is least popular among the oldest segments of the American population.
Casino visitors tend to have higher levels of education, when compared with a national sample of Americans. Casino visitors also tend to have slightly higher levels of household incomes, when compared to a national sample.
Modern casino resorts offer a wide range of activities besides gambling, and adult visitors of all ages take advantage of these amenities. Eating at a fine dining restaurant and seeing a show or concert are the most popular non-gaming activities among all casino-goers.
For vast majorities of casino visitors, setting a budget goes hand-in-hand with a trip to a casino, as almost 90 percent of casino customers report setting a budget prior to gambling.
Caesars approach to responsible gaming is simple and unequivocal: We want everyone who gambles at our casinos to be there for the right reasons – to simply have fun. Caesars does not want people who don’t gamble responsibly to play at our casinos or, for that matter, at any casinos.
The vast majority of adults who choose to play casino games do so responsibly. They budget the amount of time and money that they plan to spend, and they stick to those budgets. Some customers, however, do not. That’s why Caesars takes responsible gaming so seriously.
Putting Caesars commitment to responsible gaming into action is a multi-faceted effort. It involves science-based training for all employees, specially-trained Responsible Gaming Ambassadors who interact with customers about their gambling, major investments in information technology, review and audit of marketing campaigns, broadcast ads that improve awareness of problem gambling services, national self-exclusion and self-restriction programs, and providing customers with information about skills and attitudes consistent with responsible gaming.
Click here to learn more about Caesars responsible gaming leadership and innovation.
No. Cities with casinos are just as safe as cities that don’t have casinos. A wide range of studies conducted in numerous jurisdictions over many years have found that casinos do not lead to increased local crime rates. In fact, several empirical analyses have actually found decreases in criminal activity in communities following casinos’ opening. This may be because casino resorts improved previously blighted areas, and/or because resort management has a vested interest in customers being comfortable and safe when visiting their facilities.
Testimony from law enforcement officials working in casino jurisdictions across the country also supports studies showing that casinos do not result in increased local crime rates.
Caesars Virginia will invest heavily in security at the resort. Both electronic and physical security measures will be relied upon to reduce opportunities for theft, fraud, or disorderly conduct—and to react quickly if it occurs in and around the casino property.
The resort will have more than adequate on-site security not only within the casino, hotel, and other indoor facilities, but especially within the parking lots and garage. Caesars will also ensure that there is adequate lighting on the casino property, again especially in parking areas and structures;
Caesars will work closely with Chief Booth and the Danville Police Department to coordinate on security issues and keep customers safe. Caesars also intends to build a solid working relationship with local neighborhood “Crime Watch” and other neighborhood groups, and work with the City to develop appropriate lighting, improved sidewalks, and other measures to increase customer comfort and safety.
Please submit any additional questions through the Request Information form.
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Caesars for Danville | 312 Main Street, Suite 200 | Danville, Va 24541
info@caesarsfordanville.com
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