Officials break ground for $750 million casino resort in Norfolk

A group of gaming officials, city leaders, and Indian tribal members took a big step forward on Wednesday breaking ground that will begin construction of a $750 million casino resort in the City of Norfolk. Speakers at the event forecasted the casino resort would help economic growth in the Tidewater Virginia area.

The Norfolk casino project has been lagging behind three casinos already operating in the Commonwealth, the first one opening in July 2022.

“Today, we stand shoulder to shoulder with Norfolk about to embark on a project that will make us more resilient and uplift our communities, both the tribe and Norfolk,” said Robert Gray, Chief of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. The tribe first proposed a casino in Norfolk in 2018. “We pursued opening a casino as a way to take control of our destiny, provide our own opportunities while also uplifting the community around us. And that's exactly what we intend to do.” But Gray did acknowledge there were challenges along the way.

The casino project, once titled HeadWaters Resort & Casino, was delayed several times due to design changes and disagreements between the tribe and city officials.

“There have been challenges along the way,” Gray added, “but I stand here today able to say that those challenges have nearly strengthened our relationship and our shared commitment bringing a best-in-market casino resort to Norfolk.” During Wednesday’s groundbreaking event, the facility was simply referred to as Norfolk Casino, dropping the HeadWaters Resort & Casino name.

Gray also thanked Norfolk residents who support the proposed casino.

“They have been supportive of our casino from day one,” Gray said, “following a resounding endorsement back in November 2020 on the referendum, their enthusiasm for this project has not wavered.”

Speaking at the groundbreaking, City of Norfolk Major Kenneth Alexander told attendees the casino project is the largest private investment in the city’s history.

“This project approved in 2020 by the voters, symbolizes the confidence in our city's future, not only as the epicenter, but more importantly, as the hub of economic activity and cultural significance in Hampton Roads, in partnership with Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian tribe,” Alexander said.

The $750 million Norfolk Casino will feature a 200-room hotel, 13,000 square feet of meeting space, a casino floor big enough to accommodate 1,500 slot machines and 50 table games, eight restaurants and bars, a Spa Fitness Center, and more.

Alexander said the casino will generate $510 million in local economic impact during construction, 2,850 temporary jobs and $173 million in wages, $2.9 billion in economic impact upon completion, 850 permanent jobs, and $583 million in local wages.

“This legacy project will create new revenue, enhance city services, improve public infrastructure, revitalize neighborhoods, and pave the way for a brighter future for Norfolk,” Alexander added.

The casino venture is under development between the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, City of Norfolk, and Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming Corp. Boyd joined the project recently to spearhead the development.

“We've been in business for nearly 50 years now, and we serve 20 separate communities across the country,” Boyd Gaming President and CEO Keith Smith told the audience on Wednesday. “Today, we celebrate joining our 21st community nationwide, the Hampton Roads region, and the City of Norfolk.” Boyd has a thriving family of 28 gaming resorts nationwide.

Current plans call for a temporary casino to be up and running in October 2025 with the full resort complex following in October 2027. The casino will be located between the city’s Harbor Park baseball stadium and Amtrak Station at 200 Park Ave.