Four casino operators are said to be interested in opening a casino in Danville, Virginia. The city recently issued a request for proposals (RFP). City Manager Ken Larking said, “We have had a lot of interest from various casinos and operators to come to our city and talk to us, because they know the city of Danville is one of a few in Virginia that may eventually have a right to have a vote. As they compete to do the business here, we will be evaluating several criteria, including their experience, the number of jobs their project would create and other amenities it would include.”
The deadline for proposals is January 13, 2020.
According to the RFP, a potential developer must invest at least $200 million in a new casino and also submit up to two proposed sites; if a company submits two, one must include either the White Mill or Schoolfield site, both owned by the city. The second proposed site would be up to the company.
Convergence Strategy Group, a New Orleans-based casino and resort planning service hired by the city, estimated a casino resort with 2,500 slot machines, 10 table games and at least 325 hotel rooms could generate $363.4 million in gross gaming revenues by 2022 and create 2,400 jobs. That estimate assumes North Carolina does not decide to pursue casino gaming in the near future. The report also indicated the city would not be impacted by casino-related crime.
In another study, the Virginia General Assembly’s research agency said legalizing casinos in Virginia would provide a modest economic boost in state tax revenue and for casino-host communities.
Under legislation signed earlier this year by Governor Ralph Northam, the cities of Danville, Bristol, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Richmond would be allowed to develop commercial casinos if voters approve them in referendums, which likely would be held in fall 2020. The General Assembly must re-enact the legislation in the upcoming session. Currently, casino gambling is prohibited in Virginia.
“Being able to answer the question ‘how’ this new business activity will be implemented goes hand in glove with the overriding question of ‘will’ this new business activity be allowed in the city, which the voters will decide,” said Larking. The Danville city council has not taken an official position on whether the city should pursue a gaming venue.
