The long-awaited Golden Nugget Casino in Danville has finally opened its doors to the public on Saturday, May 28, at 4 pm. After 13 months of construction, the casino received a temporary operating license from the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) on Friday, May 27, 2023, allowing it to commence operation over the Memorial Day weekend.
The 13th casino to open in the Land of Lincoln features a 41,500-square-foot gaming space with 14 table games and 500 slot machines, as well as a retail sportsbook. The property also has a sports bar and two restaurants, including Saltgrass Steakhouse, a Landry restaurant.
The president of Danville Development LLC — which constructed and co-manages the casino, Jimmy Wilmot, expressed his excitement about the opening. “We are thrilled to take this important step to open our casino to guests over 21. Please be understanding as some of our staff may still be getting accustomed to their new roles,” he said.
The Wilmorite Management Group, which Wilmot’s family owns, is one of the partners involved in building the casino.
A press release by the casino officials noted that the grand opening of Golden Nugget Casino Danville is poised for a later date.
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Golden Nugget Casino Danville’s Journey to the Big Day
The new casino is located on the east side of the city of Danville, off Lynch Road at 204 Eastgate Drive. Danville Development LLC broke ground on the construction of Golden Nugget’s new casino in late April 2022, but plans and negotiations have been in the works long before that.
It all began in June 2019 when the city of Danville was selected among 6 cities in Illinois slated for a new casino. State officials made the move following the Rebuild Illinois bill signed into law in mid-2018.
In July 2019, a steering committee was set er by Danville City Council, bringing together business and city leaders to recommend operators for the new casino. They received intent-to-reply proposals from seven potential casino operators.
The proposal by Danville Development LLC for a new Danville casino was approved on October 28, 2019, after the final deliberation by the IGB. In November 2021, the Rochester, New York-based Wilmorite Construction asked IGB to rename the casino Golden Nugget Danville after securing the Golden Nugget branding for online sports betting, a land-based casino, and a Landry’s restaurant.
The IGB approved Danville Development LLC’s plan for Golden Nugget Danville in March 2022. They were also issued a Determination of Preliminary Suitability in the same month. The construction of the casino project started in June 2022.
The IGB finally issued Golden Nugget Danville with a temporary operating permit, allowing the casino to open in the afternoon of Saturday, May 28, 2023, in time to take advantage of the Memorial Weekend footfall.
The operator of Golden Nugget Danville plans to join the ranks of Caesars Entertainment and BetRivers in launching legal online casinos and sportsbooks. If successful, the $105 million Denville casino aims to expand into a hotel and conference center.
The casino will initially operate for 8 hours daily except Tuesdays. It’ll open from 4 pm to midnight on Mondays and Wednesdays through Saturdays, as well as Sundays from 11 am to 7 pm.
Its Saltgrass Steakhouse restaurant opened on May 12, and local officials toured the casino a week later.
Danville officials have spent over a decade advocating for a casino to stimulate job growth and tax revenue. Former mayor Scott Eisenhauer began lobbying for Danville to be included in the state’s gambling expansion bill in 2013.
New Golden Nugget Danville Offers 500 Slots Machines and Plenty of Tables
The casino spans 41,500 square feet with 14 gaming tables and 500 slot machines already available to bettors. Slot machines run the gamut from modern 3D video slots to traditional fruit machines.
Blackjack, baccarat, and roulette make up the biggest chunk of table games, but the casino also offers Ultimate Texas Hold’em craps, three-card poker, Mississippi Stud, and mini-baccarat.
The Saltgrass Steak House and a sports bar, both of which operate from 4 to 9 pm, are also open to guests. The retail sportsbook is scheduled to open soon.
New Casino to Create Jobs, Boost Danville’s Economy
The opening of the Golden Nugget Casino marks an exciting new chapter for Danville. Once a booming coal mining town, Danville has faced economic difficulties in recent decades, with many businesses closing down or relocating.
The casino is set to revitalize the local economy by attracting visitors, generating revenue, and creating new jobs. Danville mayor Rickey Williams Jr. said the casino would boost tourism and spur new business growth, allowing the city to reinvest in the community. He called the new casino a “win” for Danville.
The casino continues hiring for various positions, from hospitality to specialized roles like dealers and cashiers. Danville Development LLC and Landry’s Inc., which owns the Golden Nugget brand, co-manage the casino.
Casino to Pay $25 Million to State for Infrastructure Projects
Within 30 days, the casino must pay $25 million to the state for infrastructure projects. It gave Danville $1 million in March for riverfront redevelopment and pledged $3 million in total donations.
Casino to Provide Education and Information on Problem Gambling
After years of proposals and planning, Danville finally has its long-awaited casino, but officials remain mindful of the responsibilities that come with it.
While the casino is poised to benefit Danville economically, it also brings risks like gambling addiction. The casino must provide information on problem gambling and ways to seek help.
Signs are posted within the casino and on its website, listing warning signs of addiction and a helpline number. The IGB has also urged the federal government to eliminate illegal betting sites, as these sites can pose a risk to consumers.
Wrap-Up: Golden Nugget Danville Poised to Make a Strong Impact on the City
While Danville’s journey to securing a casino was long, the outcome seems worth the wait. The Golden Nugget Danville represents an exciting opportunity for growth that the city is ready to capitalize on. After its opening weekend success, the casino looks poised to make a strong and lasting impact on Danville.
