Danville Golden Nugget Casino Could Take Big Step Forward At Illinois Gaming Board Meeting Next Week

Darren Cooper & nbsp,

On March 10, Danville Development LLC will present a virtual proposal to the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) for the construction and operation of a Golden Nugget Casino in Danville.

Although the IGB has previously been slow to process applications, it is anticipated that the board will make a decision regarding the suitability presentation on that day. The board has the capacity to grant a preliminary suitability finding, which is the final stage prior to final approval.

The Mayor of Danville, Rickey Williams Jr., stated:

This implies that Danville could potentially witness a groundbreaking event in around 45 to 60 days. To facilitate this, we might need to arrange a meeting as early as April, or by the end of April at the latest. Following this, the commencement of a blackjack is likely to occur in the initial months of 2023.

The plans for the game at 204 Eastgate Drive include a 41,500 square foot gaming arena, 500 slot machines, 14 table games, and two restaurants. The game also aims to operate a live betting feature through the Golden Nugget online programs.

James A. Wilmot, the leader of Danville Development, stated:

“Danville Development, LLC is excited and ready to present the details of this project to the Illinois Gaming Board. The Golden Nugget Danville Casino is highly anticipated and we are keen to meet our obligations to this group.”

A protracted approach

The Illinois Gambling Act, enacted in 2019, permitted the construction of six new casinos in Danville, Chicago, Rockford, Williams County, Waukegan, and the south suburbs of Illinois. Nevertheless, the progress has been excruciatingly slow.

Originally, Haven Gaming submitted the casino application for Danville, but the IGB rejected it, stating non-compliance with Illinois laws. The application was then withdrawn in July 2020.

Shortly after, Danville Development became involved and struck a deal with the Golden Nugget in November 2020. It has been looking forward to introducing itself to the IGB.

Williams Jr. exclaimed, “I’m really stoked. There will be 300 well-paying full-time jobs there, along with numerous part-time and seasonal jobs. This will also offer fantastic recreational activities for both residents and visitors.”

information about Danville

Danville, the county seat of Vermilion County, has a population of approximately 30,000. It’s situated 137 miles to the south of Chicago and 90 miles to the west of Indianapolis.

Danville is best known for its relationship with President Abraham Lincoln. The city is home to many attractions bearing his name, and he practiced law there for 18 years.

The Vermilion County Bobcats ice hockey team, based in Danville, participates in the Southern Professional Hockey League.

For some time, Danville hurriedly pursued approval for its casino project, aiming to outpace the nearby city of Terre Haute, Indiana, a mere 55 miles away. Meanwhile, Terre Haute was busy developing its own gaming project, which remains a topic of contention. In February, officials moved the location of the project to the eastern side of the city.

Development in Chicago?

In November, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot expressed optimism about presenting a list of casino candidates to the IGB in the first quarter of 2022. Several operators have put forward proposals to develop and run a casino in Chicago.