Danville: Golden Nugget casino officially opens this Saturday

Golden Nugget – upload.wikimedia.org

The Golden Nugget Danville Casino will finally open its doors on Saturday, May 27 at 4 p.m. after thirteen months of construction since April 2022. The $105 million casino is located on Danville’s east side at 204 Eastgate Drive.

The Illinois Gaming Board issued a temporary operating permit on Friday, following successful test runs earlier in the week with local VIPs invited to experience the casino firsthand. A grand opening event has been scheduled on an undisclosed date.

Spanning an initial phase of 30,000 square feet, the casino encompasses various amenities, such as a sports bar and the Saltgrass Steak House, which currently operates from 4 to 9 p.m. On the gaming floor, patrons can enjoy approximately 500 slot machines and table games.

Three decades in the making

The president of Danville Development LLC Jimmy Wilmot said that the casino opening marks a significant milestone for both his company and the entire community.

“Ecstatic, overjoyed, excited, incredibly grateful,” Wilmot said. “Our company is 3 1/2 years into this but the city has wanted this almost 30 years. It’s a great moment for me and our company but an even better moment for the city.”

Wilmot expressed his confidence in the staffing levels and “felt comfortable” that the casino “could operate eight hours a day, six days a week.”

Wilmot did not forget to thank the hard work and support from the Danville community, Greater Vermilion County, and the state of Illinois, particularly recognizing the efforts of the Illinois Gaming Board.

“Without all these agencies and their representatives’ efforts we wouldn’t be here today,” he said.

Starting May 31, the Golden Nugget Danville will operate under temporary hours from 4 p.m. to midnight every day, except for Sundays and Tuesdays. The casino will be open on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will be closed on Tuesdays.

As the casino continues to ramp up operations, several positions are yet to be filled. The establishment actively seeks individuals for roles such as administrative assistants, slot attendants, cooks, chefs, wait staff, security personnel and more.