Casino Coming To Danville Illinois
While the future of Caesars’ casino proposal lies with voters, the Danville City Council needs to allow a citywide referendum. Residents could go to the polls as early as this coming November. Caesars has not said when its property, if approved, will open doors, but it is believed that this will happen at some point in 2023. Danville Illinois Casino - What's Next? Has 2,852 members. This group was created on June 2, 2009 to give those who are in favor of locating a casino to Danville, Illinois a social media presence. THE MEMBERS OF THIS GROUP SUPPORT: 1. HUNDREDS OF NEW PERMANENT JOBS. A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN TOURISM TO THE I-74 CORRIDOR.
After its initial casino proposal with Haven Gaming fell through, the City of Danville has a new casino operating partner, with a much different plan for the casino site.
Alderman voted 12-0 Tuesday night to enter into an agreement with Wilmorite Construction to design the second version of the new casino.
Company President Jimmy Wilmot said the new casino is proposed to be built at 204 Eastgate Drive, which is the site of a former Thyssenkrupp warehouse. The new casino would be built in three phases, with plans for 500 slot machines and 10 gaming tables in the first phase, along with four dining venues and a steakhouse. The second phase would be built 24 months after the initial casino opened, with the third phase 24 months after that. A hotel and an expanded site would be planned for the final phase. An access road would connect the new casino to Lynch Road.
Per the plans of the developers, the second and third phases would need to include land closer to Interstate 74, but Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. says Wilmorite does not have expansion site picked out yet.
Wilmot said the casino would bring 600 permanent jobs to the Danville area.
The company will pay upfront amounts totaling $3 million to nonprofits and other projects in Danville, with $1 million each to the Riverfront Development Project, Boys and Girls Club and for municipal improvements.
A total of $300,000 will be paid annually to entities in Danville. Mayor Williams says this will break down as follows:
- $100,000 to United Way
- $50,000 to Fischer Theatre
- $50,000 to Danville Area Community College
- $50,000 to Vermilion Advantage
- $25,000 to Danville Fire Department
- $25,000 to Danville Police Department
Company officials explained that the smaller site was chosen because investors are budgeting $100 million for the first phase of construction, and Wilmot says more can be built by renovating a site.
https://d1mw12smyvvnsk.cloudfront.net/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2509/files/2020/08/JIMMY-WILMOT-BUILD.mp3“We can build 500 slots, 10 tables, 42,000 square feet, a food court, a steakhouse as well as 10 table games,” he said.
Casino Coming To Danville Illinois Restaurants
Wilmot also said the smaller site would allow for a faster construction schedule, with the site being level and most utilities already on-site other than a sewer project, which would reduce costs.
Tinisha Shade-Spain, the interim president of Vermilion Advantage, said the new casino could bring more restaurants to Lynch Road—something that the area does not have.
https://d1mw12smyvvnsk.cloudfront.net/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2509/files/2020/08/TINISHA-SHADE-CHANGE-THEIR-MINDS.mp3Casino Coming To Danville Illinois Obituaries
“Even though we’ve got 3,000 people that work out in that corridor and 25,000 to 30,000 people a day that come by on (Interstate) 74, it’s the rooftops that they’re after,” she explained. “I think if we get this development out there, it will definitely change their minds.”
Wilmot said the company projects to spend $30 million before even the first phase of construction begins, and he said $100 million is expected to be spent on the first part of the casino—if it is approved.
Alderman Mike Puhr said he liked the fact that the company was on solid footing in its bid proposal, versus multiple changes in the previous company (Haven Gaming) that the city went through before. Even so, Alderman R.J. Davis, who left the meeting before the vote was cast, expressed concern about the company paying what it is supposed to.
https://d1mw12smyvvnsk.cloudfront.net/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/2509/files/2020/08/RJ-DAVIS-STICK-TO-YOUR-WORD.mp3“I get sick and tired of organizations coming, that want to come and bring money to this town,” Davis said. “We need money. All cities need money. But at least stick to your word.”
Wilmot said the company is committed to hiring 40 percent women, 30 percent minorities and five percent veterans to work at the proposed casino.
He said Wilmorite plans to submit its application to the Illinois Gaming Board as soon as possible. Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. said the casino proposal will first go before the Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday, September 3rd, then to the city council later that month.
Wilmot said construction would likely begin sometime next year, after he said the gaming board would likely approve it sometime next spring in his estimation.
Wilmorite Construction has helped construct casinos in California and Oklahoma as well as several shopping malls throughout the country. The company is headquartered in Rochester, New York.
If and when the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) approves the Danville casino, Golden Nugget is coming to Illinois.
Danville Developmentstruck an agreement with Golden Nugget Online Gaming on Thursday. Golden Nugget will be able to offer sports wagering and online casino (if legalized) in Illinois.
The gaming company will also join in building the retail casino. The venue would also offer feature a Landry’s restaurant steakhouse.
The move comes a bit out of left field, as Danville is not a pending casino applicant as of this writing. In other words, it will likely be a while before Illinoisans can visit a Golden Nugget or bet on its site.
Regardless, it’s significant news. And it may tell us something about what’s to come in Illinois beyond sports betting.
Are Illinois online casinos on the horizon?
While Golden Nugget offers sports betting — and it likely will in Illinois — it’s much better known for its online casino product.
Golden Nugget recently announced plans to enter the Michigan market with a focus on its online casino product. Tilman Fertitta, the owner, said:
“We’re just primed to be the best iGaming company in America. We’ll be very strong in sports, but we’re in the iGaming business. That’s where the money is, that’s where the customer is more valuable, and that’s where the big money is going to be made going forward.”
Golden Nugget is currently the market leader in New Jersey. Online casinos aren’t legal in Illinois — yet. But it’s fair to wonder whether Golden Nugget would prioritize the Land of Lincoln if the online casino option wasn’t in the cards.
As of now, there are no definitive plans to offer online casino games in Illinois. But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.
Casino Coming To Danville Illinois Menu
Illinois is facing a budget shortfall, especially after the “Fair Tax” amendment didn’t pass. Gov. JB Pritzker has shown a willingness to expand gaming in his state.
In general, gaming operators are for it, but local restaurant and bar owners are against it.
A long, long timeline
A casino in Danville will likely be built at some point, but it won’t be open any time soon. So, Golden Nugget is clearly taking the long view here.
Danville Development has yet to submit its application to the IGB. Once it does, it could be a year (or longer) before it gets a decision; multiple casinos who applied in October 2019 and still haven’t gotten an answer. The IGB has asked them to amend their applications.
The approval process can take a long time, and that’s before building the casino itself. But if a Danville casino is ready around the same time online casino legislation passes, it’s a home run for Golden Nugget.
Illinois casino applicants in limbo
As previously mentioned, several Illinois casino applicants submitted paperwork in October 2019.
A few weeks ago, the IGB didn’t hand out any casino licenses during a meeting that was supposed to serve as the decision’s deadline. Instead, eight applicants amended their applications.
IGB Administrator Marcus Fruchter said the applicants had received a written explanation for the delay.
Danville wasn’t one of them because it hasn’t submitted its materials to the IGB yet. Now that Golden Nugget is on board, perhaps we’ll see that happen soon.
“The Golden Nugget is a nationally recognized brand and strengthens the submission, provides additional opportunities and upgrades the overall project,” said JamesWilmot, the vice president of Wilmot.
Wilmot is a part of Danville Development.
Illinois figures to be a gaming hotbed in the US in the coming years. It makes sense that a brand such as Golden Nugget would want to get in on the action.