Norfolk's Headwaters Casino Opens 2024 - 500 Nations
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Tribal Casinos > Virginia Casinos > Norfolk Casino Norfolk Casino | Construction Updates ➤The Interim Gaming Hall opened Nov. 7, 2025➤Full-scale casino hotel opens late 2027➤Final casino name? TBANation | Tribe: Pamunkey Indian Tribe, partnered with Boyd Gaming
NORFOLK CASINO200 Park AvenueNorfolk, Virginia
The Norfolk casino (final name is pending) will be a $750 million casino, hotel, and entertainment destination built on the Elizabeth River adjacent to Harbor Ballpark in Norfolk, Virginia.
A temporary and transitional casino named The Interim Gaming Hall opened Nov. 7, 2025 with 132 slot machines and food and beverage services. A full-scale casino will open in late 2027 with 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, 8 restaurants, a 200-room hotel, and event center.
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Norfolk Resort & Casino - Released Aug. 15, 2024
Norfolk Casino
NewsFeaturesRenderingsThe long-delayed Norfolk casino project was saved by a last-minute change in partners and a new plan. Both received final approval from the City Council of Norfolk in October 2024. In the deal, the Pamunkey Tribe changed its development and operations partner to Boyd Gaming, a multibillion Las Vegas company with 28 casinos nationwide.
Under the new plan, a transitional casino, named The Interim Gaming Hall, was opened Nov. 7, 2025, which was just in time to qualify for the gaming license. The license had a mandatory issuance deadline of Nov. 15, 2025.
A full-scale casino will replace the transitional casino in late 2027. The full-scale casino will feature 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, eight restaurants and bars, a 200-room hotel with a spa and meeting space, an event center, and a 1.300-space parking garage.
Continued ...
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Norfolk Casino Construction | Update Feb. 2026 February 7, 2026 - Boyd Gaming's president and CEO told investors Thursday the construction of the Norfolk casino and hotel "remain on schedule" for opening in late 2027. ... Read more 
Norfolk temporary casino is an immediate success December 20, 2025 - Norfolk's Interim Gaming Hall opened Nov. 7 and immediately drew high-enthusiasm and steady traffic from the local area. The casino's gross gaming revenue at ... Read more 
"Norfolk Casino" Awaits a Real Name! December 6, 2025 - The current Norfolk casino project is simply named "Norfolk Casino", which is a really bland label for a future $750 million destination casino. A successful name would stand out and makes a ... Read more 
Norfolk casino will add license plate reading cameras November 25, 2025 - Last Tuesday the Norfolk city council approved the installation of Flock Safety cameras in the parking lots of the new Interim Gaming Hall. The cameras ... Read more 
Norfolk's casino donates first gambling proceeds to Foodbank November 20, 2025 - Norfolk's new Interim Gaming Hall opened Friday Nov. 7th and donated the first two days of gaming proceeds to the Foodbank of SE Virginia ... Read more Headlines continued... BLACKJACK LIVE DEALERPlay with live dealers! Play blackjack, roulette, baccarat, three-card poker, live lottery, card games, more ..... $3,750 Welcome Bonus at BOVADA
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Norfolk Casino Construction | Update Feb. 2026
February 7, 2026
Boyd Gaming's president and CEO told investors Thursday the construction of the Norfolk casino and hotel "remain on schedule" for opening in late 2027. He added:
"Foundation work is largely complete for the permanent building and construction is now going vertical."
- Kevin Smith, Pres. & CEO of Boyd Gaming
[ No Ads ]Norfolk casino update - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Feb 6, 2026. Available from YouTube
President and CEO Kevin Smith also gave the first public comments about the financial performance of The Interim Gaming Hall, the temporary slots-only casino which opened Nov. 7, 2025. Smith said the temporary casino is expected to "break even" while operating during the construction of the permanent casino. It earned $1.4 million in adjusted gaming revenue in November and $1.1 million in adjusted gaming revenue in December.
The City of Norfolk was paid about $154,000 in gaming tax revenue for those two months. Smith said The Interim Gaming Hall is performing as expected, but the numbers are far below what the city should expect to see after the permanent casino opens in 2027.
Boyd Gaming partnered with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe in 2024 to build and operate the Norfolk casino. The tribe had a previous partner that was unable to finance the project. A mandatory deadline to open the Norfolk casino by Nov. 15, 2025 had been imposed by the casino referendum approved by voters in 2020. Therefore, to meet the deadline Boyd Gaming expedited The Interim Gaming Hall to open Nov. 5, 2025.
Sources: Boyd Gaming | WAVY
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Norfolk Casino - Continued
Development Schedule
In late 2024 the future of the long-delayed Norfolk casino began looking brighter. The Norfolk City Council had approved a revised development plan that has added Boyd Gaming as a partner with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. Boyd Gaming is a multi-billion Las Vegas company that owns and operates 28 other casino nationwide, including Sky River Casino, an Indian casino near Sacramento.
The Norfolk casino project still faced a Nov. 15, 2025 deadline for obtaining the casino license, or else the entire approval process may start over again includeing another another voter referendum. Under the new plan construction of the full-scale casino started on Octber 30, 2024 and was followed by the start of construction on a transitional casino a month later. The transitional casino secured a casino license by opening one week before the deadline. Construction of the full-scale casino will continue until its completion in late 2027.
Norfolk Casino History
The original Norfolk casino project never gained approval for construction. The project was named the 'HeadWaters Resort & Casino' and included a casino with 2,000 slot machines and 50 table games, a hotel with 300 rooms, a spa and a rooftop pool, multiple restaurants including a steakhouse, an event center and a rooftop entertainment area.
The Pamunkey Indian Tribe had partnered Golden Eagle Consulting, a casino development company owned by Jon Yarbrough, a billionaire gaming industry veteran. For four years the partnership failed to get city approval to build the casino.
In September 2024 Boyd Gaming, a successful Las Vegas casino developer and operator, bought out Jon Yarbrough's ownership in Golden Eagle Consulting. Boyd Gaming manages 28 casinos across 10 states including Sky River Casino, a large Indian casino near Sacramento.
The new partnership of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Boyd Gaming are now working towards finishing the final casino resort project in late 2027.
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Norfolk Casino Features
Project Mermaid
The Norfolk casino project, now referred to as Project Mermaid by new partner Boyd Gaming, will be built in a "single-phase" that includes both a transitional casino and a full-scale casino.
THE INTERIM GAMING HALL (visit)7,200 square-feetConstruction started in February 2025.Opened on Nov. 7, 2025.
FULL-SCALE CASINO HOTEL (visit)Construction started in mid-January 2025Opening date in late 2027.
The Interim Gaming Hall 2025
The Interim Gaming Hall in Norfolk. VA
The Interim Gaming Hall opened on Nov. 7, 2025 just before the Nov. 15th deadline. The casino is housed in a tent-like structure located on the paved parking lot between Harbor Park and the Amtrak station.
Gaming
Hours of operation: 10 AM to 2 AM daily.Tent structure has 7,200 total square feetGaming space is 3,600 square feet
132 slot machines
Loyalty program is Boyds Rewards.
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Restaurants
Ghost Kitchen - quick bites, handhelds and sides. Open 11:00am - 11:00pm.
Visitor Access and Parking
Lot E has 121 parking spaces at $10 per day.
A free shuttle service wiis available to take guests and Amtrak passengers across Park Avenue to Lot E.
Casino visitors are encouraged to use rideshare or taxi services.
WebsiteFull-Scale Casino Hotel 2027
The full-scale casino will open in late 2027 with the following features. Additional information is pending..
Gaming
Smoking and nonsmoking gaming areas
1,500 slot machines
50 table games
Further details TBA
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8 restaurants and bars - TBA
Entertainment Venue
To be announced
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Hotel
Five-story hotel tower with 200 roomsSpa and gym space - 4,000 square feetMeeting space - 13,000 square feet
Parking
Parking garage with 1,300 vehicle spaces
News Articles Continued
Norfolk temporary casino is an immediate success
December 20, 2025
Norfolk's Interim Gaming Hall has been an immediate success since opening Nov. 7th. The casino has been drawing high-enthusiasm and steady traffic from the local population. Visitors say the facility is always busy and players must sometimes wait in lines for slot machines.
[ No Ads ]Temporary casino rakes in $1.4M in first 23 days - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Dec 16, 2025. Available from YouTube
The casino's gross gaming revenue at the end of Nov totalled $1.4 million, according to the according to Virginia Lottery. These earnings are a modest success for the small casino compared to earnings of larger Virginia casinos.
Norfolk's Interim Gaming Hall is a very small temporary casino with only 132 slot machines inside a 3,600 sq-ft temporary tent.
The gaming hall is providing a first-step casino experience to Norfolk residents before the $750 million full-scale casino opens in late 2027. The final casino will include 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, 8 restaurants, entertainment, and a 200-room hotel.
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"Norfolk Casino" Awaits a Real Name!
December 6, 2025
The current Norfolk casino project is simply named "Norfolk Casino", which is a really bland label for a future $750 million destination casino. A successful name would stand out and make a memorable first impression. The current name is lacking big time.
The Norfolk casino project began in 2019 by the Pamunkey Tribe as a $500 million riverfront resort and casino plan. The casino was approved in 2020, and the Pamunkey Tribe trademarked its name as "HeadWaters Resort & Casino" in April 2021.
After years of delay, Boyd Gaming joined the Pamunkey Tribe in 2024 as the majority development partner, and changed the project name to the simple and bland "Norfolk Casino".
Is this the permanent name? Maybe, but not likely.
Although there have been no official announcements, there are reports that Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Tribe are still reevaluating the final casino branding. The full-scale casino project is still officially named HeadWaters Resort & Casino. That name could be dropped or reinstated. Likewise, the final name could change or remain the current Norfolk Casino. It could also become a hybrid name or something new and unexpected.
Is a new casino name coming? When?
The final name of the Norfolk resort casino will be announced sometime in 2026, according to these official sources:
Boyd Gaming Press Release (October 30, 2024
Virginia Lottery Board filings (October 29, 2025)
The timing for the final name announcement will likely coincide with a construction milestone next year or some other headline event about the casino.
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Norfolk casino will add license plate reading cameras
November 25, 2025
Last Tuesday the Norfolk city council approved the installation of Flock Safety cameras in the parking lots of the new Interim Gaming Hall. The cameras provide 24/7 monitoring of vehicles and automatically capture and store their license plate numbers.
[ No Ads ]Norfolk council approves Flock Safety cameras for new casino - Courtesy of WTKR News 3, Nov 19, 2025. Available from YouTube
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Norfolk's casino donates first gambling proceeds to Foodbank
November 20, 2025
Norfolk's new Interim Gaming Hall opened Friday Nov. 7th and donated the first two days of gaming proceeds to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. The donation of $92,297.77 was presented to the foodbank with a large representative check by Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe.
[ No Ads ]Boyd Gaming, Pamunkey Indian Tribe make donation to foodbank - Courtesy of 13News Now, Nov 17, 2025. Available from YouTube
"Food insecurity is a pressing challenge for too many families, and the Foodbank is working hard to ensure that fewer local residents are going to bed hungry. Supporting organizations that directly impact the lives of our neighbors is at the heart of who we are, and we're honored to help the Foodbank continue its vital mission."
- Ron Bailey, VP & GM of The Interim Gaming Hall
Christopher Tan with the Foodbank accepted the donation and said his organization is "deeply grateful" for the contribution.
The Norfolk casino project is a partnership between the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Boyd Gaming. The partners opened a temporary casino last week named The Interim Gaming Hall. The casino is housed inside a large white tent across from Harbor Park and near the light rail station. The facility features 132 slot machines, a player's club, and drinks and food service from vendor trucks.
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Norfolk's interim casino opens today! First look!
November 7, 2025
The temporary Norfolk casino will officially open today, just one week before the five-year deadline that would have stopped the project. This 13News Now video takes us inside the new casino for a first look.
[ No Ads ]Inside Norfolk's temporary casino: A first look at what's to come - Courtesy of 13News Now, Nov 6, 2025. Available from YouTube
The casino, named The Interim Gaming Hall, is housed inside a large white tent across from Harbor Park and near the light rail station. The casino features 132 slot machines, a player's club, vending areas with drinks and food from a local chef, and a self-serve alcoholic beverage machine.
"It's modest because of the size of it, and I know people see the tent on the outside, but when you come inside, it looks just like a casino, because it is."
- Ron Bailey, VP and GM Boyd Gaming
The Norfolk casino is a partnership between the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Boyd Gaming. They are donating all proceeds from the first two nights to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.
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Norfolk casino license approved | Temp casino deadline is Nov 15th
October 29, 2025
Today the Virginia Lottery Board approved the gaming license application for the Norfolk casino, which was submitted by Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. The board voted unanimously to license the temporary casino, named The Interim Gaming Hall, and the full-scale casino resort, which will be named later. The Interim Gaming Hall must open by Nov. 15 to comply with state law.
[ No Ads ]Temporary Norfolk casino granted gaming license, must open by Nov. 15 - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Oct 29, 2025. Available from YouTube
"For the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, this license is more than regulatory clearance. It is a milestone of opportunity, a reaffirmation of our long-term vision for economic development, job creation and partnership with the community of Norfolk. We look forward to shared success ahead with our partners at Boyd Gaming and the City of Norfolk."
- - Kevin Brown, Chief of the Pamunkey Tribe
"We are honored to receive the Virginia Lottery Board's approval. With this step complete, we have taken a major step toward the realization of our vision of creating a best-in-market gaming resort in the City of Norfolk. We look forward to opening the doors of The Interim Gaming Hall next month and continue to work toward the opening of our $750 million casino resort in late 2027."
- Ron Bailey, VP and GM Norfolk Casino
The Interim Gaming Hall will be housed in a 7,200 sq-ft tent located adjacent to the construction site of the full-scale casino resort. This will be a temporary casino operating until the permanent casino opens in 2027. The temporary casino will be open 10 AM to 2 AM and feature 130 slot machines.
Additional information on The Interim Gaming Hall can be found here at Boyd Gaming.
Employment opportunities at the Norfolk casino can be found here.
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Norfolk Casino | Opening Deadline Nov. 15th Approaches
October 22, 2025
The Virginia Lottery Board will meet in a special meeting Wednesday, Oct 29th, to consider the Norfolk casino operator license application for the Norfolk casino. This will include the Interim Gaming Hall, which is scheduled to open in November, as well as for the permanent casino opening in late 2027.
The Lottery Board will meet with the casino applicants, Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, in Richmond at 1:30 p.m. and is expected to make a licensing decision that will be critical to the Norfolk casino meeting its November 15th deadline for opening. The temporary casino, referred to as the Interim Gaming Hall, must open by that date or else the license will expire under Virginia's 2020 gaming law. The Lottery Board, however, may extend the deadline if it approves the license.
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Norfolk Casino Moves Closer to Opening Day
October 10, 2025
As the temporary Norfolk casino nears its opening deadline of November 15th, the City of Norfolk has approved a lease to help the casino open by that date. New portions of city land near the casino will now be used for casino parking and for staging new construction materials.
[ No Ads ]Norfolk city leaders approve lease with Boyd Gaming, clearing the path for construction - Courtesy of 13News Now, Oct 7, 2025. Available from YouTube
The casino general manager, Ron Bailey, said the interim casino is ahead of schedule and will open before the deadline. He added the full-scale casino will be completed in late 2027.
"We wouldn't be involved with this project if we didn't think we could get it across the finish line on time. So, get ready, this is just the beginning, but there's something really special coming to the community that I know everyone will be able to rally behind and be proud of."
- Ron Bailey, GM norfolk Casino
Bailey added: "There's a lot of work happening. A lot of concrete piles are going into the ground already. We have hundreds and hundreds of those, getting the foundation together. It's well underway."
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Norfolk Casino | New Entertainment District Coming?
September 21, 2025
The City of Norfolk is looking at the possibility of building a new entertainment and nightlife district on city-owned land that surrounds the new $750 million waterfront casino currently under construction and Harbor Park, home of the Norfolk Tides baseball team.
Norfolk is in the early planning stages according to Sean Washington, the city's economic development director. Washington spoke to a panel Friday hosted by the VisitNorfolk, the official tourism promotion agency for the city. He envisions Norfolk becoming a growing urban core of the region.
"You have a premier baseball team. You have a premier, world-class casino facility. What else can we do with the rest of the site?"
- Sean Washington, Norfolk Economic Development
An entertainment district in the Harbor Park area would be a better location than Norfolk's downtown where a 2022 rise in violence in a nightlife area caused a crackdown on nightclubs that were near large residential buildings. The Harbor Park area is a greater distance from residents and is walled off from the city by Interstate 264 and the railroad.
The Norfolk Casino would be the centerpiece of the new entertainment district. The Interim Gaming Hall, a temporary casino, will open in a tent-structure in a few weeks. A full-scale casino with restaurants, a 200-room hotel, and event center will open in late 2027.
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Norfolk Casino Prepares to Open | Begins Hiring
September 14, 2025
As the Norfolk Casino moves closer to its opening date in November, the casino's managing partner, Boyd Gaming, has announced its first list of job openings. The casino is preparing to open The Interim Gaming Hall, the initial phase of construction, before the November deadline.
[ No Ads ]Boyd hiring for casino jobs in Norfolk - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, . Available from YouTube
First Job OpeningsEighteen new job opportunites have been posted on the Boyd Gaming careers webpage. Thirteen are entry level positions. If you are interested in more information or in submitting an application you can visit here.
Slot AttendantEntry Level
Shift Manager SecurityMid-Senior Level
Security Officer (Part-Time)Entry Level
Security OfficerEntry Level
Count Room AttendantEntry Level
Cage CashierEntry Level
Cage Cashier (Part-Time)Entry Level
Cashier Master BankEntry Level
Shift Manager CageMid-Senior Level
Revenue Audit ClerkEntry Level
Slot Attendant (Part-Time)Entry Level
Surveillance ManagerMid-Senior Level
IT Field EngineerEntry Level
Surveillance AgentEntry Level
Surveillance SupervisorAssociate
Surveillance TechnicianEntry Level
Slot TechnicianEntry Level
Director of Cage and Count RoomDirector
When opened, the Interim Gaming Hall will operate from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily with 130 slot machines as construction of the full-scale casino will proceed on the riverfront behind it until finished in 2027.
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Norfolk Casino Counts Down to Nov. 2025 Opening
September 12, 2025
The Interim Gaming Hall is preparing to open in Norfolk, Virginia this November. The facility will be a temporary, transistional casino housed inside a large tent structure and located on the parking lot beside the construction site of the full-scale Norfolk casino. Total construction is scheduled for completion in 2027.
The Interim Gaming Hall in Norfolk. VA
The Interim Gaming Hall will have a steel frame to support a vinyl canopy with a high ceiling and an open-floor plan.
Operating hours will be 10 AM to 2 AM. The gaming floor will feature 130 slot machines and a players reward programn. There are no plans at this time to add live table games or sports betting. Food services will be provided by on-site food trucks using serving windows integrated into the side walls of the tent.
Vistors can park in Lot E for $10 per day. There will be a free shuttle to take visitors across Park Avenue to the gaming hall. There are only 131 parking spaces, so visitors are encouraged to take Amtrak, taxis and rideshare services.
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Norfolk casino will beat Nov. opening deadline
August 16, 2025
The Interim Gaming Hall will be the initial gambling facility at Norfolk casino and will open before the Nov. 15th deadline for receiving a gaming license, according to Ron Bailey, VP and GM of Norfolk Casino.
[ No Ads ]Leaders share update on Norfolk casino progress - Courtesy of 13News Now, Aug 15, 2025. Available from YouTube
Crews broke ground last year in October and have been working non-stop. The Interim Gaming Hall will likely be finished this October and feature 130 slot machines, limited food and drink services, and Boyd Gaming's loyalty reward program.
The complete Norfolk casino resort will be finished in late 2027 and feature a 65,000 ft casino, a 5-story hotel with 200 rooms, spa and meeting space, eight restaurants and bars, entertainment, and a 1,300-vehicle parking garage.
As yet, it has not be officially named. The final name and branding are expected to be announced next year.
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Norfolk Casino | Opening Deadline in 100 days!
July 27, 2025
The Norfolk casino project expects to celebrate the grand opening of its transitional (or temporary) casino before the licensing deadline of Nov. 5, 2025. As August approaches, that deadline is slightly more than three months away! And, if the deadline is missed, the entire Norfolk casino project might be cancelled and reset to start over again with a new voter referendum.
The ownership team of Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe have repeatedly said the deadline will be met. Their target date for opening the temporary casino is mid-October, which is about 12 weeks away. This will be a 7,200-square-foot structure with slot machines and table games. The facility will be a "sprung structure", such as a large fabric tent-like building. Details of the building and the gaming equipment are still pending.
The temporary casino is intended to secure the state gaming license before the Nov. 5 deadline and to operate until the permanent casino opens next year. The hotel and resort venues will be completed in 2027.
A new permanent name for the Norfolk casino is also expected to be announced sometime before the temporary casino opens.
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Norfolk Casino | What is New Name for Opening Day??
June 1, 2025
It is impossible to image the official name of the Norfolk Casino will remain "Norfolk Casino". That name is too generic, too bland, and too unimaginative. When the casino opens later this year, it should be branded with a new name, a destination name, a name to inspire expectations and to draw visitors.
The current name originated last year when the HeadWaters casino project of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe was failing and unable meet the state deadline of November 2025 for opening. To save the project, the tribe formed a new partnership with Boyd Gaming. The new partnership immediately dropped the HeadWaters name and replaced it with the generic name, Norfolk Casino, to erase the past and represent a restart in negotiations with the City of Norfolk.
The new casino negotiations with the city were successful. A temporary casino is now under construction and will open in October. The full-scale casino resort will open in 2027.
What about a new name? As of now, there has been announcement about a name change. However, Boyd Gaming officials have admitted the Norfolk Casino name is temporary and will be renamed. A timeframe has not been mentioned. It seems reasonable that the final name will likely be announced closer to the October opening of the temporary casino.
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Norfolk Casino | NSU Casino Classes
May 19, 2025
Norfolk State University announced plans to development a new department for casino management following a $1 million pledge from Boyd Gaming, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe partner for development and operation of the Norfolk Casino.
Norfolk State University will name the new department the "Boyd Gaming Department of Tourism & Hospitality Management."
"We look forward to working closely with our friends and partners at NSU in the years ahead as we build a best-in-class team, and create exciting career opportunities for Norfolk State graduates at our resort."
- Ron Bailey, VP and GM Norfolk Casino
The University has developed an introductory course on gaming management as part of an overall program for the gaming industry which will cover operational subjects of staffing, security, taxes, and government regulations.
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Norfolk Casino Construction Update | April 2025
April 8, 2025
Since construction kicked off in mid-February at the Norfolk casino building site next to Harbor Ballpark, construction crews have been actively preparing the grounds for pre-foundation work. The construction site has replaced eight acres of parking lot between the Harbor Park stadium and the Norfolk Amtrak Station. Approximately 1,000 vehicle spaces are now gone. Eventually a new 1,300-space garage will built at that location before the casino opens.
[ No Ads ]Norfolk casino construction affects Amtrak passengers - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Apr 3, 2025. Available from YouTube
The City of Norfolk is seeking ways to alleviate the current parking shortage for ball games and Amtrack travelers. Changes have been made to the traffic flow around the train station, and more changes are expected to continue. The city is also considering a $15.8 million request in the FY 2026 budget proposal to build an additional parking deck in the Harbor Park area. The location has not been decided.
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Norfolk Casino Update | March 2025
March 7, 2025
After a four-year delay, the Norfolk casino project now appears to be progressing rapidly to meet its November 2025 opening deadline. In the past six months, the Pamunkey Tribe has a new partner, Boyd Gaming, and a new casino plan approved by the City of Norfolk. Construction finally started in February.
This month a new vice president and general manager, Ron Bailey, was announced. Baily has 25 years of experience in the casino industry. This week he met with the press and gave more insight into the Norfolk project.
[ No Ads ]New general manager of Norfolk Casino announced - Courtesy of 13News Now, Mar 3, 2025. Available from YouTube
"As one of Boyd's most experienced property leaders, Ron is the ideal candidate to lead the Norfolk casino team. Throughout his career with Boyd, Ron has demonstrated a consistent ability to deliver memorable entertainment experiences for our guests. He has also consistently shown his commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for his team members, and to positively impacting our communities."
- Boyd Gaming President and CEO Keith Smith
Bailey confirmed a temporary casino will open before November or this year, and a permanent casino resort will open two years later in 2027.
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Norfolk Casino's Construction Day 1
February 15, 2025
Full-scale construction of the $750 million Norfolk casino project officially kicked off yesterday on Valentines Day. The building site beside Harbor Ballpark was busy with crew and equipment preparing the ground for pre-foundation work. Pile drivers were heard making loud pounding sounds as they drove the long columns into the ground.
[ No Ads ]Day 1 of $750M Norfolk casino project - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Feb 14, 2025. Available from YouTube
The project executive for the construction contractor explained the work activity:
"We're testing the pilings to make sure that the conditions and the length of the pilings, the width of the piling diamond, the size of it, per the design criteria, support the building.
"The first, early steps will be actually in the next few weeks, We'll start moving in some more dirt and get the site contractor on board."
- Raymond Crochet, Project Executive for Yates-S.B. Ballard Construction
A transitional casino will open later this year. The Virginia Lottery Board has set a deadline for opening by Nov. 5th to secure the gaming license. A full casino, hotel and entertainment district will open in the second half of 2027.
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Norfolk Casino Readies for Construction
January 27, 2025
Yesterday the City of Norfolk permanently closed Parking Lot D at Harbor Park for crews to begin construction of the Norfolk casino. The parking lot is part of the casino resort property next to Harbor Ballpark.
[ No Ads ]City of Norfolk to permanently close Harbor Park parking lot for casino development - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Jan 26, 2025. Available from YouTube
Amtrak travelers will be affected by the closure of Parking Lot D. An alternative drop-off area and new parking is now available. Passenger parking is in Lot E across Park Avenue from the station. Lot C will provide a cell phone lot and provide overflow parking. Shuttle service from Lots C and E will begin an hour before train departures, and will continue service for returning passengers.
Harbor Park parking lot map is courtesy of WAVY.COM
Construction of the Norfolk casino must be completed by November. That date is the final deadline for the state to issue a gaming license to the casino and marks the fifth year since Norfolk voters approved the casino.
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Norfolk Casino Construction Update | Jan. 2025
January 17, 2025
The long-delayed Norfolk casino will start construction this month with a mandatory state deadline to open by this November to meet its licensing requirement. The city-approved plan is to build a transitional casino to open this October. Construction will continue to complete the casino and add eight restaurants, an entertainment center, a five-story hotel, and a parking garage by late 2027.
[ No Ads ]Norfolk Casino has chosen its builders for $750 million project - Courtesy of 13News Now, Jan 14, 2025. Available from YouTube
This week the casino developer, Boyd Gaming, announced the selection of its construction partners S.B. Ballard Construction and Yates Construction. The two companies will team up to manage the construction project.
"These two outstanding companies are the ideal team to lead construction of our resort on theNorfolk waterfront. S.B. Ballard's proven track record in this region and extensive network ofsubcontractors will allow us to successfully meet our development timeline, while Yates'unparalleled experience in casino development will help us deliver a truly market-leading resortexperience."
- Uri Clinton, Exec. VP - Gen. Counsel, Boyd Gaming
A ceremonial greoundbreaking was held back in October. At thst time, the casino general contractor had not been selected. The announcement this week indicates the construction project is now fully-organized and ready to proceed rapidly to meet the November licensing deadline.
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Norfolk Casino | Construction Starts in January 2025
December 22, 2024
There have been no construction activities at the Norfolk Casino site since the groundbreaking ceremony was held Oct. 30th. Furthermore, there has been no announcement about the selection of a building contractor for the project. What does this mean? Is the Norfolk casino project still on schedule to open before the Nov. 2025 deadline?
On Tuesday a casino official confirmed the project is "on-schedule" and is waiting for state approval from the Lottery Board and final approval of site plan by the City of Norfolk.
"We've submitted all of our licensing material with Virginia gaming regulators. So, that has been submitted, and we are now working with the city of Norfolk to finalize our site plan."
- David Strow, Boyd Gaming VP of Corp. Communications
Strow said the company is forming its construction team and will announce a general contractor in January. At that time the first site preparation work is expected to start. In the meantime, Boyd Gaming is seeking vendor bids for transportation, food and beverage services.
Norfolk casino is a partnership between the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Boyd Gaming Corporation.
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Norfolk Casino | New Price Tag is $750M
October 31, 2024
In comments made after the Norfolk casino groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, Boyd Gaming said it is committed to spending $750 million to build the new casino, hotel and entertainment complex on the Elizabeth River. This is a 50% increase in investment over the previous commitment of $750 million. Boyd Gaming recently joined the Pamunkey Tribe as a new partner in the Norfolk casino project and owns an 80% share.
The casino project is facing a November 2025 deadline established by the 2020 ballot referendum that requires the Norfolk casino to be licensed and operational before that date. The building plans must still be finalized and submitted to the city. Then the building permits must be issued before construction can begin.
"For those people who were worried about whether Boyd Gaming was going to honor the commitment to the city, not only have we honored it, we've exceeded the commitment of previous developers and this will be a $750 million casino resort."
- Keith Smith, Pres. & CEO Boyd Gaming
The Norfolk casino plan is to open a temporary casino before the Nov. 2025 deadline, and then continue with construction with a permanent casino which will open in September 2027.
Boyd Gaming plans to break ground on the temporary casino by the end of this year.
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Norfolk Casino Holds Groundbreaking Today! Oct. 30, 2024
October 30, 2024
Finally! The groundbreaking for the Norfolk casino was held today! The Pamunkey Indian Tribe and their new partner, Boyd Gaming, are planning to introduce casino gaming to Norfolk within 12 months.
[ No Ads ]Norfolk hosts groundbreaking ceremony for casino - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Oct 30, 2024. Available from YouTube
The ceremony was held in the parking lot at the building site between Norfolk's Amtrak station and Harbor Park. The public was not invited. The event was attended by tribal leaders, Boyd Gaming executives, and Norfolk city officials. Short speeches were delivered by Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander, Pamunkey Indian Tribe Chief Robert Gray, and Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith.
"We feel very comfortable and we're just excited to be able to bring the project to fruition for the city and the Commonwealth and the Tribe."
- Chief Robert Gray, Pamunkey Indian Tribe
In Nov. 2020 the voters of Norfolk, Virginia authorized the Pamunkey Indian Tribe to build a casino on the Elizabeth riverfront next to Harbor Park. Since then, the clock has been ticking (and ticking) away. Four years of delays have brought the window for construction down to just the next 12 months to meet the mandatory opening deadline. The law says the Norfolk casino must be licensed and operational no later than Nov. 5, 2025.
The casino development plan is to open a transitional casino in Oct. 2025 to secure the gaming license and to operate during construction of the permanent casino. Details of the temporary facility have not been announced. The permanent casino is targeted to open in Aug. 2027 and will include 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, eight restaurants, and a five-story hotel with 200 rooms.
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Norfolk casino will celebrate groundbreaking on Oct. 30
October 16, 2024
Yesterday, the Pamunkey Tribe and its new partner, Boyd Gaming, announced the groundbreaking date for the Norfolk casino will be Wednesday, October 30 at 11 AM. The location for the event will be the future casino site next to Harbor Park at 200 Park Avenue.
[ No Ads ]Norfolk casino groundbreaking set for October 30 - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Oct 15, 2024. Available from YouTube
After four years of delays, the Norfolk casino project has turned around quickly since getting a new partner and a new plan. In three short weeks the new casino plan was approved by the Norfolk Architectural Review Board, the Planning Commission, and the City Council.
The groundbreaking ceremony will be a private event. Attendees will include Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander, Pamunkey Chief Robert Gray, and Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith.
Further details about the event were not included in the press release.
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Norfolk Casino Gets Final Approval
October 8, 2024
The City Council of Norfolk, Virginia met tonight and granted final approval for construction of the Norfolk Casino. The council voted 7-1 to approve the design of a $750 million casino and hotel to be built along the Elizabeth River at 200 Park Avenue.
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