Caesars Virginia Could Help Offset Utility Rate Increases for Danville Residents

Posted on: April 11, 2025, 12:01h. 

Last updated on: April 11, 2025, 12:08h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Danville is considering using casino taxes to offset utility hikes
  • Caesars Virginia is the top-performing casino in Virginia
  • The $750 million resort opened in December 2024

Caesars Virginia was authorized by local officials and residents as a way to provide new tax revenue for the city. The $750 million casino resort is paying off.

Caesars Virginia casino tax revenue Danville
Caesars Virginia is delivering new tax revenue to Danville, which is using the financial proceeds for an array of causes. The latest proposed benefit is to provide residents with a monthly utility credit. (Image: Caesars Virginia)

Danville Utilities, the city-run provider of electric, gas, water, sewer, and broadband internet services in the Southside Virginia town, is raising rates on its 42K customer locations. City officials plan to offset the cost increases by allocating casino tax revenue to homeowners through a monthly stipend.

On May 6, the Danville City Council is expected to pass an ordinance that will provide funding for a one-year utility customer credit.

Revenues from casino gaming taxes are anticipated to exceed previously budgeted amounts,” the ordinance summary reads. “The additional revenues will be used to fund a one-year monthly utility customer credit for residents of Danville.”

The ordinance, which would be enacted for the city’s 2025 fiscal year beginning July 1, would cap the amount of gaming funds for the utility credit program at $2.4 million. Throughout the 12 months, should the ordinance be adopted, city residents would receive a $10 monthly credit on their utility bill.

Caesars Delivers 

Danville Utilities expects its rate increase to result in an additional $10-$11 a month for homeowners. Danville City Manager Ken Larking says the public utility provides “high-quality and reliable services at rates that are quite competitive.”

Caesars Virginia, which only opened its permanent casino in December but began delivering local tax benefits after commencing a temporary gaming facility in May 2023, will keep those utility rates as low as possible. Larking says the council will review a new utility credit program if needed next year.

Along with helping to keep utility rates down, Caesars Virginia has helped increase pay for city officials. Last summer, Casino.org reported that nearly $4.7 million of the $18.86 million in casino taxes the city collected from May 2013 through April 2024 went to better compensate Danville employees.

“Whether it’s in parks and recreation, police, fire, public works, street maintenance, everything that we do requires a hands-on approach to make that happen. In order to provide great, quality services, that costs more now than it used to,” Larking said at the time.

K-12 public schools received $2.55 million. Economic initiatives were allocated $2.48 million. The casino funds also helped move power lines underground along W. Main St. and build a splash pad at Third Avenue Park.

The Danville Police Department was given $845K to upgrade its headquarters and $800K went to blight projects. Initiatives to better promote tourism in Danville were handed about $566K.

Danville Casino Success

Caesars Virginia, along with its 320-room hotel, 50K square feet of meeting space, a 2,500-seat theater, full-service spa, resort pool, an array of culinary destinations, features 1,477 slot machines, more than 100 table games, a World Series of Poker Room, and a Caesars Sportsbook.

The Caesars casino resort, the largest casino investment to date in the commonwealth, has emerged as the top gaming property in Virginia. Through February, Caesars Virginia has generated 2025 gross gaming revenue of over $59.7 million from its slots and tables.

Danville collects 6% of Caesars Virginia’s monthly GGR.