Jim Justice Shuts Greenbrier Casino to Secure $500 Million Deal

The family of Jim Justice, a U.S. Senator and owner of The Greenbrier resort, announced the temporary closure of the resort's casino and the layoff of approximately 90 employees. The move is intended to facilitate the closing of a $500 million refinancing deal with Kennedy Lewis Investment Management LLC by August 14, 2026. The Justice family claims the closure is necessary to avoid daily interest charges of $145,000 and to prevent a court-ordered receivership of their business portfolio.

The refinancing effort aims to resolve a federal debt dispute with White Sulphur Springs Holdings, an affiliate of Omni Hotels & Resorts, which is petitioning a federal court to seize control of the resort's assets. The situation is further complicated by more than $8 million in Internal Revenue Service tax liens for unpaid payroll withholding taxes.

Acting Lottery Director David Bradley of the West Virginia Lottery Commission criticized the shutdown, stating the agency was not notified until August 12. Bradley asserted that the resort failed to provide final documentation until August 5 and that the commission will not be pressured to violate the West Virginia Open Government Proceedings Act. The commission has placed the resort on financial watch following reports of diverted revenues. While the casino faces closure, the rest of the resort remains fully operational.