The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has granted a permanent operator license to the Golden Nugget Casino in Danville. The permit was issued to Danville Development, LLC, which operates as Golden Nugget Danville. The license is valid for a four-year term, set to expire in October 2027, after which it must be renewed through the board.
This decision, along with licenses for Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort in Williamson County and Bally’s in Chicago, received unanimous approval with a 3-0 vote from the board, with one member absent.
Prior to the Board’s approval of the licenses, representatives from each casino addressed the Board, discussing their suitability for licensure and providing insights into their operations since obtaining tentative licenses, Vermilion County First reported.
‘’With today’s licensing actions, the Illinois Gaming Board has opened and licensed five new casinos since November of 2021 in Rockford, Waukegan, Danville, Carterville, and Chicago in addition to its other regulatory and law enforcement work,” IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter was quoted as saying in the report.
“During this period of unprecedented growth and expansion, the staff and Board Members of the IGB remained steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the ethics, compliance, integrity, safety, and transparency of Illinois gaming and we will continue to do so.”
The Golden Nugget Casino, with a total investment of $100 million, is situated on Danville’s east side at 204 Eastgate Drive. Construction of the facility commenced on April 19, 2022, with the casino granted a temporary operating permit by the IGB.
The casino’s financial backing was secured from KeyBank, and construction was overseen by Wilhelm Construction of Indianapolis. Overcoming challenges along the way, the team successfully navigated the construction process. A soft opening took place earlier this year on May 27, followed now by the grand opening ceremony in August.
The casino has welcomed nearly 135,000 visitors and generated adjusted gross receipts of $12,042,093, Commercial News reported. The establishment currently employs approximately 244 people, boasting a remarkable 90% retention rate.
The casino has hired 85 employees since the initial opening and plans to recruit an additional 20-30 dealers. Notably, the casino’s workforce consists of 29% minority employees and 60% women, with 52% of the women in leadership roles.
The casino boasts nearly 500 slot machines and 14 Las Vegas-style table games, including Baccarat, Blackjack, 3-Card Poker, Craps, Mississippi Stud, Roulette, and Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em. The casino’s sportsbook has yet to open.