From the groundbreaking in April of 2022, to the soft opening this past May; an official ribbon cutting and grand opening for Danville’s Golden Nugget Casino was always somewhere down the road. Just a little past 11:30 AM on Friday (Aug 4th), a large group of Danville Development investors and elected city officials were led by Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr in that official cutting.
Vermilion Advantage Chamber Director Nicole Van Hyfte emceed the ceremony.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: Just what a cool time for Vermilion County; the casino being out here, it’s going to open up doors for economic development. Not just in the eastern corridor of Danville, but in all of Vermilion County. And they’re doing awesome things by giving back to our community.
State Senator Chapin Rose was on hand. Rose said he was thrilled to give the casino his support; but also stated legislators who fought for this for years; such as Bill Black, Chad Hayes, Scott Bennett, and Mike Marron; should be honored for their efforts.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: I was just one of the guys that helped vote for it to make it a reality. But really you have to give credit where credit is due, and those hometown boys worked their tails off over many years. This went on for over a decade to get this passed in Springfield. So, to see it actually happen, it’s just almost amazing.
Danville Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Jeanie Cooke says the visitors are coming to Danville to see the Golden Nugget, and that’s great for every single resident.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: And this is certainly causing an upward bump in tourism. And we’re extremely happy about that; because, again, tourism is money left in Danville for all of us to use in our community.
Danville Development is the owner of Golden Nugget Danville, and president James Wilmot says this ribbon cutting means the state gaming board is now giving the casino free reign to do much more for its visitors.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: Our first day of a live casino with promotions, so more excitement for our guests. They can win prizes besides just when they’re playing slot machines. And that’s the idea. We’ve gotten to that point where the IGB feels we’re comfortable, to let us have more fun at the casino. And that’s what today’s about.
For Vermilion Advantage CEO Tim Dudley, the arrival of Golden Nugget Casino is good for Vermilion County all the way around.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: They’ve made it very clear from the very start that they’re going to be active in the community; and they’re really going to financially help, like the Boys and Girls Club and other entities in our community. We’re just so happy that they’ve invested in Danville; and they’re going to invest themselves in Danville, which is good.
And speaking of the Danville Boys and Girls Club, a $1 million dollar check was presented to executive director Robert Gifford and his team just before the ribbon cutting. For Danville mayor Rickey Williams, Jr; a former Danville Boys and Girls Club executive director, this was a special moment. For years, there’s been a long list of teens wanting to be part of the program. And now, a new teen center, will help make that happen.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: For more than a decade we have been trying to figure out “how can we serve more kids there? More kids want to be there, how can we serve them?” And this and donation from Golden Nugget Danville makes that possible.
During the ceremony, Mayor Williams listed other annual contributions Golden Nugget Danville has committed to. The list includes $100,000 to United Way of Danville Area; and $50,000 each to Danville Area Community College, the Fischer Theater, Danville Police and Fire, and Vermilion Advantage. In addition, 4% of overall profits after expenses are paid go to the city; 8% if that figure is above $30 million.
