The mayor of Danville believes there is a chance the Golden Nugget casino could open next week.
Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. told a City Council Public Service Committee meeting on Tuesday that the newest Illinois casino was being put through a thorough inspection this week by the Illinois Gaming Board. The Commercial-News reported that if that process goes well, the Golden Nugget could open before the end of May. Though, the Memorial Day holiday may put a kink in those plans.
So far, the Danville Golden Nugget team has not commented on when the casino might open. That’s standard policy in Illinois where the IGB has the final say on when a casino can open.
But when the casino does open, it will be the culmination of four years of work. The Danville gambling facility was part of the 2019 Illinois gambling expansion law.
It will be the 13th casino in Illinois.
The Temporary by Full House Resorts is the most recent casino to open in the Prairie State. It opened on Feb. 27. PlayIllinois was there shortly thereafter to write a review of the Waukegan casino.
Four more Illinois casinos are on the way
Full House Resorts is building a permanent casino in Waukegan.
Also, Bally’s plans to open its own temporary property in Chicago. The Medinah Temple is now expected to open sometime this summer as the company also focuses on its permanent River West property. The permanent $1.7 billion Bally’s Chicago casino is targeting a 2026 opening, complete with a full casino floor, entertainment space, and numerous restaurants.
Further, three more properties could open in 2023:
- Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort in Williamson County is scheduled to open sometime in 2023
- A permanent Hard Rock Rockford casino is scheduled to open late in 2023 (the Hard Rock: Opening Act temporary casino opened in 2021)
- Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino on the border between Homewood and East Hazel Crest is scheduled to open in late 2023 or early 2024
Golden Nugget opening could add a new Illinois sportsbook
A new Illinois sportsbook is also planned for the Golden Nugget Casino Danville. And, the Golden Nugget intends to launch an Illinois online sports betting platform using its tethered license.
Currently, there are seven online sportsbooks in Illinois. Circa Sportsbook will be the eighth sports betting operator in Illinois. The sportsbook is tethered to the Waukegan casino. Circa hopes to launch in August.
Apart from the sportsbook, the Danville casino will feature a 41,500-square foot gaming floor home to:
- 500 slot machines.
- 14 table games, including baccarat, blackjack, three-card poker, craps, roulette and more.
- Two restaurants
Notably, the Saltgrass Steak House has already opened at the casino.
Danville already delivered $1 million to the city
In March, developers of the casino handed the city of Danville a $1 million check as part of the Host Community Agreement Golden Nugget made with the city.
Further, the money will go toward the city’s riverfront development. The developers, Wilmorite Construction and the Wilmot Family, agreed to contribute $3 million in donations. The riverfront development, the Boys and Girls Club of Danville and the Danville Municipal Project will divide the total donation.
The check presentation came during a preview of the upcoming casino, attended by approximately 25 people. The property is located at 204 Eastgate Drive in Danville.
