Royal Palace Opens

Roanoke Rapids, N.C., has a new casino-style venue in the Royal Palace Theatre, which opened its doors Sept. 12.

The 1,500-seat building will host entertainment along with a lobby of 24-hour internet stations that feature sweepstakes games, according to the local Daily Herald.

“This facility was built with the intent to bring tourism and tax revenue into this area,” Roanoke Rapids Mayor Emery Doughtie told the paper. “This is a life-changing piece of real estate for our city, and we are excited to see a group of entrepreneurs treat it like the catalyst for economic development we know it can be.”

Acts on the books include Chris Young, Lorrie Morgan, Clarence Carter and Percy Sledge.