A casino proposed for Norfolk in Virginia will begin construction as early as next month, says the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Boyd Gaming. The casino hotel is expected to have 200 hotel rooms and a gaming floor with over 1,500 slot games, 50 table games, and a FanDuel sportsbook.

After years of anticipation, the developers behind Norfolk's $750 million casino project have announced that construction is finally set to begin. This news comes after months of apparent inactivity on the site right next to Harbor Park, Norfolk's Minor League Baseball stadium.

Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe had held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the casino resort in the latter part of October. However, since that event, no visible progress had been made, prompting questions from local residents and media.

"We've submitted all of our licensing material with Virginia gaming regulators and are now working with the City of Norfolk to finalize our site plan," said David Strow, the vice president of corporate communications for Boyd Gaming, in an interview with WTKR. Strow assured that residents can expect to see construction activity start as early as next month.

Long-awaited project finally gains momentum

The Norfolk casino project has experienced a rocky journey since its approval by voters in 2020. During the presidential election that year, Norfolk residents passed a ballot referendum with 65% overall support, greenlighting the development of a casino resort.

But despite voter enthusiasm, the project struggled to gain traction. Initial plans were spearheaded by the Pamunkey Tribe and billionaire investor Jon Yarbrough. However, Yarbrough withdrew his support earlier this year, selling his 80% stake in the venture to Boyd Gaming for an undisclosed sum. Boyd's involvement has revived optimism for the long-stalled project, as the company brings extensive experience and financial resources to the table.

Boyd Gaming is one of the nation's largest regional gaming operators, managing 28 casinos across 10 states like Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. In 2023 alone, the company reported revenue of over $3.7 billion, with gaming operations contributing $2.6 billion.

A new vision for Norfolk's casino

Boyd Gaming's latest blueprint for the Norfolk casino envisions a state-of-the-art entertainment destination. The resort will feature a hotel with 200 guest rooms overlooking the Elizabeth River and Harbor Park, along with a gaming floor boasting 1,500 slot machines, a total of 50 live table games as well as a FanDuel Sportsbook.

Additional amenities include eight bars and restaurants, meeting and event spaces, a live entertainment venue, and a pool. While the permanent structure is under construction, a temporary gaming pavilion is expected to open next year to provide an early taste of the gaming experience.

Regional competition and expansion

Norfolk's casino will be the latest addition to Virginia's growing gaming industry. Three other casinos authorized during the same 2020 referendum - in Bristol, Danville, and Portsmouth - are already operational and thriving.

Meanwhile, the competition is heating up across the state. The Cordish Companies are investing $600 million in a new casino resort in Petersburg, and legislation is expected to advance plans for a potential casino in Fairfax County. However, the Fairfax project faces significant opposition from local residents and leaders.

A boost for Norfolk

Once completed, the Norfolk casino is expected to be a major economic driver for the city and region. The development promises to create hundreds of construction and permanent jobs, generate significant tax revenue, and attract tourists to Norfolk's waterfront.

For now, residents and stakeholders are eager to see the long-delayed project finally break ground. As Boyd Gaming prepares to mobilize construction crews, the dream of a world-class casino resort in Norfolk is one step closer to becoming a reality.