Movie stars and professional athletes provided the glitz when the Greenbrier's 100-million dollar Casino Club debuted last summer.
"It's a hidden treasure and that's why we're here," actress Jane Seymour told us in July.
Since then, the Hollywood celebrities have gone, but the Casino Club still has a starring role in the renovated Greenbrier resort.
Todd Fishon is the Greenbrier's Vice President for Casino Operations. "It's a place where after seven o'clock at night, all of our guests dress up in their evening attire," Fishon told News 7. "Jackets are required for gentlemen and you really feel like you're someplace special, which is our goal."
February was the casino's busiest month yet, bringing in 1.3 million dollars in gaming revenue. While that might be small change to some casino operations, Fishon says it's consistent with the casino's role at the resort. "We're different. When you come here the hotel exists. The resort exists. The golf courses are magnificent. The restaurants. People have been coming for generations, now we have the casino so our mission statement is different. Our mission is really to enhance the experience of our guests."
The Casino Club includes 35 table games and 320 slot machines. It has a staff of 150 employees, with 80 percent hired from the local community. The Greenbrier hopes its gaming revenue will continue to grow, and the casino will continue to give newcomers a reason to visit, and regular guests another reason to return.
This weekend the Casino Club is hosting a charity fundraiser that will give visitors admission to the casino without registering as overnight guests. A ten dollar admission charge, and five percent of the slot machine proceeds will be donated to five charities including Apple Ridge Farm the summer camp and year-round tutoring program for young people in the Roanoke Valley.
