NC gamblers make trek to Danville to try luck at new casino
Business is booming at the new casino in Danville, Virginia, and much of the money that's moving through there comes from North Carolina.
It's a 90-minute drive or less from much of the Triangle and a look around the parking lot shows plenty of license plates from the Tar Heel State.
The Caesars Virginia was packed on Monday.
A study done this year estimates North Carolina will lose out on $259 million in gaming revenue to Virginia now that casinos are open just across the state line.
Like a lot of the traffic pulling up, Tom and Cathy Dugan made the drive up from North Carolina. They came from High Point.
"We’re retired so we can go anywhere, but we like convenience," Cathy said.
They're here to play their favorite games (like Keno) under the tent of the temporary casino.
"I don’t smoke. I don’t drink, but I love to gamble, so this is where my money goes," Cathy said.
Danville is cashing in on money from gamblers since it opened its doors on May 15.
In just the first two weeks, it brought in nearly $12 million in gaming revenue for Virginia. About $715,000 of that is new tax revenue that goes to Danville.
The city plans to put the casino money toward revitalizing the city which has struggled with factories shutting down over the last few decades.
"You’ll see so much infrastructure going on, from the rebuilding of our downtown river district to the parks and even to our communities," said Danville City Councilor Barry Mayo. "Danville is on the move for making a much better Danville."
The Dugans would prefer to bet their bankroll closer to home if they could.
"I don’t bet much. I just bet a little bit," said Tom. "If North Carolina brings one, we’ll give them the money."
The full casino is expected to open in late 2024. North Carolina state lawmakers have discussed the idea of allowing commercial casinos, but a bill has not been introduced so far in 2023.
