Published on: September 23, 2025, 06:55h.
Updated on: September 22, 2025, 03:24h.
- City leaders in Norfolk anticipate that the casino will motivate further investments
- The urban center currently lacks nightlife options after a crackdown on crime
- Though crime rates have decreased, many residents in the vicinity still avoid the area
Norfolk is on track to be the fourth city in Virginia to host a casino, with a temporary gaming facility by Boyd Gaming scheduled to open next to the Harbor Park Minor League Baseball Stadium this autumn.
Boyd Gaming, based in Las Vegas, is overseeing a $750 million project to establish a resort casino along the banks of the Elizabeth River. The full-scale gaming, entertainment, and hospitality establishment is expected to open in 2027, while a temporary facility known as The Interim Gaming Hall will commence operations in November.
City officials in Hampton Roads are optimistic that the comprehensive casino resort will breathe new life into the downtown sector.
“We have a premier baseball team and a top-tier casino facility. What more can we offer?” questioned Sean Washington, executive director of the Norfolk Economic Development Authority, in an interview with The Virginian-Pilot.
Boyd, collaborating with its local partner, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, is in the early phases of developing a 200-room hotel alongside a casino area featuring 1,500 slot machines, 50 live dealer table games, and a sportsbook. Plans also include eight food and beverage outlets, a full-service spa and fitness center, a 45,000-square-foot amenity deck, 13,000 square feet of meeting rooms, and a parking garage with 1,000 spaces.
Chilly Downtown Atmosphere
Norfolk’s downtown scene has become rather subdued after law enforcement started a citywide crackdown about three years ago to address crime. Following several notable shootings, violations involving alcohol, and other unlawful activities, Norfolk intensified its inspections and law enforcement measures.
In 2022, law enforcement recorded 63 homicides, marking a 30-year peak. Thankfully, the downtown crime concerns resulted in over a 40% reduction in murders and violent crimes two years later. Nonetheless, crime apprehensions continue to deter many locals from visiting the city.
Many commercial spaces in downtown remain unoccupied, particularly in the Waterside District, which is termed the city’s “premier 120,000-square-foot mixed-use hub.” Waterside was created in collaboration with The Cordish Companies, which also manages Live! Casinos in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and soon, Virginia through Petersburg.
The previous year, Cordish filed a lawsuit against Norfolk, claiming it was designated to be the city’s foremost gaming partner if casinos were legalized in Virginia. The Baltimore-based company contended that its $40 million agreement for the Waterside project entitled it to the first opportunity for a casino. A circuit court judge ruled against this claim.
The Waterside District contains five rental spaces available, including a 13,558-square-foot venue positioned on the second level.
Revitalizing the City
Washington is hopeful that the new Norfolk casino will bring residents and visitors back to the city’s riverfront, subsequently attracting further investments along with the Boyd project. Norfolk is certainly in need of such revitalization.
Statistics from the US Census Bureau indicate that around 15% of the population within the city lives below the poverty line. The median household income stands at $64,000, which is significantly lower than the Virginia median of $93,000.
Norfolk requires more job opportunities. Boyd estimates that the construction of the casino in Norfolk will create 2,850 construction jobs and 850 permanent positions. Boyd anticipates that the casino will have a $2.9 billion impact on the local economy and generate around $583 million in wages over the first decade of operation.