Norfolk casino project moves forward as Boyd Gaming and Pamunkey Tribe secure state license

Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe have cleared a major hurdle in their Norfolk casino project, obtaining a Virginia gaming license from state regulators to move forward on their $750 million casino and resort development.

The Virginia Lottery Board approved the license through a unanimous vote on Wednesday, allowing the partners to proceed with both a temporary gaming hall this November and a permanent resort near Harbor Park in 2027.

Partnership and project background

The Norfolk project, initially proposed by the Pamunkey Tribe in 2019, has undergone several changes in scope and leadership. The original plan for a 500-room casino and hotel was later revised after the tribe brought in Boyd Gaming as a development and operating partner in 2024, replacing previous collaborator Jon Yarbrough.

Boyd’s entry into the project came with time constraints. Under Virginia law, casino operators have five years from the certification of a local casino referendum to secure a license. The Norfolk referendum was certified on November 18, 2020, meaning that if the license had not been issued by November 18, 2025, a new referendum would have been required.

Boyd General Counsel Uri Clinton said meeting that deadline was a major consideration. “Could this happen? Did we have enough time?” he said. “City staff and Mayor Alexander were able to negotiate a development agreement that made sure Boyd had a high chance to be successful.”

Temporary gaming hall and launch timeline

Following the approval, the operators must open a temporary facility, The Interim Gaming Hall, by November 15 to comply with state requirements. The temporary site, located along Park Avenue, will feature 130 slot machines over 3,600 square feet of gaming space, within a tent structure totaling 7,200 square feet. No table games will be available, and the hall will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

“We’re confident that in the coming days, we’re going to be able to share some more exciting news with the community about our plans to get the interim gaming hall open, but it will open on time,” said David Strow, vice president of corporate communications for Boyd Gaming.

Strow described The Interim as “a preview of what to expect in 2027 when we get that resort open,” and said Boyd aims to complete the permanent facility “on time and on budget.”

Resort design and economic impact

The completed casino resort is planned to include a 65,000-square-foot gaming area, a 200-room hotel, a parking deck, eight restaurants and bars, entertainment venues, and outdoor space. Renderings presented to the board showed hotel suites, a spa and pool deck, and a variety of dining options, including a steakhouse, gastropub, and a four-restaurant food hall.

Boyd Executive Vice President of Operations Ward Shaw said the project will generate 850 jobs and $1.2 billion in economic output over its first five years, along with $187.6 million in gaming tax revenue. The company estimates the project’s total 10-year economic impact at approximately $2.9 billion.

Community and regulatory considerations

During the Virginia Lottery Board’s meeting, Deputy Executive Director of Gaming Compliance Ray Dunkle said the agency’s background investigation found no disqualifying issues for either Boyd Gaming or the Pamunkey Tribe. Board members cited Boyd’s operational experience and its plans for workforce training partnerships with local colleges as positive elements of the application.

In a prerecorded statement, Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander said the casino is expected to support additional development in Norfolk and generate local tax revenue for city schools.

Pamunkey Indian Tribe Chief Kevin Brown said: “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.”

Ron Bailey, general manager for the Norfolk project, added: “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.”

The developers anticipate opening The Interim Gaming Hall by mid-November to meet the state deadline, followed by construction progress toward the full casino resort set for completion in 2027. Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Tribe say the project’s timeline and regulatory compliance remain on track as they prepare to enter Virginia’s emerging casino market.