Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe have successfully navigated a significant milestone in their Norfolk casino venture, acquiring a Virginia gaming license from state authorities to advance their ambitious $750 million casino and resort initiative.
The Virginia Lottery Board granted the license with a unanimous decision on Wednesday, empowering the partners to launch a temporary gaming facility this November and a permanent resort near Harbor Park by 2027.
Collaboration and Project Overview
The Norfolk development, initially introduced by the Pamunkey Tribe in 2019, has gone through multiple revisions in its scope and leadership. The original concept of a 500-room casino and hotel was modified after the tribe partnered with Boyd Gaming as its development and operations partner in 2024, replacing the previous collaborator Jon Yarbrough.
Boyd’s involvement was time-sensitive. According to Virginia law, casino operators have a five-year window from the certification of a local casino referendum to obtain a license. The Norfolk referendum was certified on November 18, 2020, implying that if the license wasn’t issued by November 18, 2025, a new referendum would be necessary.
Uri Clinton, Boyd’s General Counsel, indicated that adhering to this deadline was crucial. “Could it happen? Did we have sufficient time?” he stated. “City officials and Mayor Alexander effectively negotiated a development agreement that ensured Boyd’s high probability of success.”
Temporary Gaming Facility and Rollout Schedule
Upon receiving approval, the operators must launch a temporary venue, named The Interim Gaming Hall, by November 15 to adhere to state mandates. This temporary location, situated along Park Avenue, will offer 130 slot machines within a gaming area of 3,600 square feet, housed in a total structure of 7,200 square feet. Table games will not be available, and the hall will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
“We are optimistic that we will soon announce additional exciting developments about our plans to open the interim gaming hall on schedule,” remarked David Strow, Boyd Gaming’s vice president of corporate communications.
Strow characterized The Interim as “a sneak peek of what’s to come in 2027 when the resort opens,” and expressed Boyd’s commitment to completing the permanent facility “on schedule and within budget.”
Resort Features and Economic Influence
The envisioned casino resort will feature a 65,000-square-foot gaming area, a hotel with 200 rooms, a parking garage, eight dining establishments including restaurants and bars, entertainment spaces, and outdoor areas. Renderings shared with the board illustrated hotel suites, a spa and pool area, and diverse dining choices, featuring a steakhouse, gastropub, and a food hall with four restaurants.
Ward Shaw, Boyd’s Executive Vice President of Operations, noted that the project is projected to create 850 jobs and generate $1.2 billion in economic output during its initial five years, in addition to $187.6 million in gaming tax revenue. The company anticipates that the project will have a cumulative economic impact of approximately $2.9 billion over the next decade.
Community and Regulatory Insights
During the Virginia Lottery Board meeting, Ray Dunkle, the Deputy Executive Director of Gaming Compliance, confirmed that the agency’s background checks identified no disqualifying factors for either Boyd Gaming or the Pamunkey Tribe. Board members highlighted Boyd’s operational expertise and its initiatives for workforce development partnerships with local educational institutions as commendable aspects of the application.
In a pre-recorded message, Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander stated that the casino is anticipated to spur further development in Norfolk and generate additional local tax revenue for city schools.
Pamunkey Indian Tribe Chief Kevin Brown remarked, “For the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, this license represents more than just regulatory approval; it symbolizes a pivotal opportunity and a reaffirmation of our enduring commitment to economic development, job creation, and collaboration with the Norfolk community.”
Ron Bailey, the general manager for the Norfolk project, added: “With this milestone achieved, we are progressing towards the fulfillment of our vision to establish a premier gaming resort in Norfolk.”
The developers expect to open The Interim Gaming Hall by mid-November to meet state deadlines, followed by construction advances towards the full casino resort slated for completion in 2027. Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Tribe confirm that the project timeline and regulatory compliance remain on schedule as they prepare to tap into Virginia’s burgeoning casino market.