Norfolk’s First Casino Finally Opens Its Doors
After years of debate, design disputes, and political conflicts, Virginia finally got its fourth casino. The official opening of the Norfolk Casino Interim Gaming Hall, the city’s first-ever casino, marks a milestone moment for residents and developers who have spent nearly half a decade waiting for the project to materialize. Visitors can now enjoy a temporary venue, with the complete casino expected to open in 2027.
Virginia
Norfolk Casino Interim Gaming Hall
temporary venue
The Interim Venue Offers a Glimpse into Casino Gaming
A new temporary casino sits on Park Avenue near Harbor Park, powered by a partnership between Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. The casino currently occupies a modest structure, a 3,600-square-foot gaming tent filled with flashing slot machines. This temporary arrangement provides a preview for the much larger $750 million resort under construction next door, scheduled to open in 2027.
Park Avenue near Harbor Park
Boyd Gaming
Pamunkey Indian Tribe
3,600-square-foot
$750 million resort
2027
Ron Bailey, vice president and general manager of Norfolk Casino, admits that many doubted whether the Norfolk casino project would succeed after a series of setbacks, like early skepticism from locals and construction delays. The original concept, branded as HeadWaters Resort & Casino, was shelved last year. Boyd Gaming then stepped in, bringing fresh capital and extensive operational know-how.
Ron Bailey
series of setbacks
HeadWaters Resort & Casino
There are a lot of people who’ve never even set foot into a casino before. 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.
Ron Bailey, Norfolk Casino VP and general manager
There are a lot of people who’ve never even set foot into a casino before. 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.
Ron Bailey, Norfolk Casino VP and general manager
The Interim Gaming Hall aims to familiarize visitors with the Boyd brand. Patrons can enjoy 132 slot machines, featuring award-winning titles such as Buffalo Ultimate Stampede and Dragon Link. The gaming hall is open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day and can accommodate approximately 100 concurrent players. Outside, food trucks will keep visitors fed, and an on-site vending machine will dispense ready-to-drink cocktails.
132 slot machines
Buffalo Ultimate Stampede
Dragon Link
10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
100 concurrent players
The Project Should Significantly Benefit the Local Community
Norfolk is the fourth city in Virginia, along with Bristol, Portsmouth, and Danville, to feature a functioning casino, with a fifth in Petersburg already under construction. The state’s three active casinos generated $73 million in revenues last month. Industry experts note that this figure will keep growing as the new casino in Norfolk ramps up operations.
Bristol
Portsmouth
Danville
Petersburg
$73 million
The permanent casino resort, expected to provide 850 job positions, will feature 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, a 200-room hotel, eight restaurants and bars, and a 45,000-square-foot outdoor deck overlooking the Elizabeth River. 13,000 square feet of meeting space, along with a spa and fitness center, will help deliver a comprehensive hospitality offering.
850 job positions
1,500 slot machines
comprehensive hospitality offering
Developers have stated that they will announce the name and branding for the permanent resort in 2026. For now, though, the flashing lights and loud sounds of the machines at the temporary site mark a ray of hope for a long-awaited project. Norfolk residents can now enjoy the benefits of the city’s entry into the booming Virginia casino market.
2026
a ray of hope
enjoy the benefits
