Virginia: Norfolk opens interim casino as $750M resort development advances

Norfolk’s new interim gaming hall, housing 132 slot machines and a modest player capacity, opened Friday after years in the making. Proceeds from Friday's operations will benefit the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and Eastern Shore.

The temporary venue offers an early look at the city’s upcoming $750 million waterfront casino resort, which will feature 1,500 machines, 50 table games, and a 200-room hotel when it opens in 2027.

The temporary venue, called the Norfolk Casino Interim Gaming Hall, represents the city’s first step into regulated gaming. Its operation gives residents a preview of what to expect from the permanent HeadWaters Resort & Casino, to be constructed along the Norfolk waterfront.

Food trucks stationed outside the building provide dining options, and a vending machine inside offers ready-to-drink cocktails. The gaming hall is open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. and can accommodate up to 100 players. Popular slot titles such as Buffalo Ultimate Stampede, Dragon Link, and Lightning Link are among the machines available on-site.

Development delays and project transition

Norfolk’s casino plan has gone through several phases since it was first introduced. The original HeadWaters project was delayed by political debates, design revisions, and funding issues, leading to uncertainty about its completion.

Boyd Gaming later became involved, providing funding and operational support that helped advance the temporary casino and revive the overall project.

Ron Bailey, vice president and general manager of Norfolk Casino, acknowledged the setbacks during development, including skepticism over whether the project would move forward.

Boyd Gaming’s role in the project

Boyd Gaming’s participation allowed the construction of the interim facility while planning for the larger resort continues. Bailey said many residents are new to casino gaming, and the interim hall provides them with an opportunity to engage with the environment for the first time.

“There are a lot of people who’ve never even set foot into a casino before,” Bailey said. “It’s about creating a casino experience for them that’s going to make them want to come back and enjoy their time when they’re gaming.”

Once completed, the permanent resort is expected to generate around 850 jobs and contribute to Norfolk’s economy through hospitality and tourism activity. Along with the gaming floor, plans include multiple dining venues, a spa, meeting areas, and an outdoor deck overlooking the Elizabeth River.

Virginia’s casino development landscape

Norfolk is now the fourth Virginia city to offer casino gaming, following Bristol, Portsmouth, and Danville. According to state data, those three casinos collectively produced $73 million in revenue last month.

Virginia’s gaming market continues to expand, with a fifth casino under construction in Petersburg. The temporary Live! Petersburg facility is expected to open in January next year, with the permanent resort scheduled for completion in 2027.

Developers project that the full property will generate nearly $3 billion in revenue for the region and create about 7,500 jobs.