Norfolk Casino Picks up Speed with Construction Works Start

Norfolk Casino, a massive project by the leading gaming and entertainment operator, Boyd Gaming, in collaboration with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, gained traction earlier this month with the start of construction. The newest Virginia casino is expected to open in a couple of years and represents an investment of $750 million.

Temporary Casino to Open Later This Year

Before the opening of Norfolk Casino, the duo plan to open a temporary casino or as they recognize it a “transitional gaming facility.” The temporary gaming venue is expected to open this year, delivering gambling options to customers ahead of the planned opening of Norfolk Casino which is scheduled for 2027.

Unlike the temporary venue, the permanent casino resort is expected to deliver many amenities, including a hotel with 200 rooms and live entertainment venue. There will be eight food and beverage venues, and a massive outdoor deck too.

The centerpiece of Norfolk Casino, the gaming floor, would deliver some 1,500 of the most exciting and engaging slot games. In addition, Virginia’s newest casino resort is expected to offer 50 table games. Ultimately, Norfolk Casino is expected to deliver gambling activities for any type of customer from high-stakes players to casual slot fans.

Earlier this month, the Senate in Virginia advanced a Tysons Casino bill despite pushback from local communities. The proposal sought to deliver a casino in Fairfax County. However, unlike the progress made by Norfolk Casino, the Tysons Casino bill failed for yet another time.

The Project Is Expected to Boost Tourism, Generate Billions in Economic Activity

Late last month, Keith Smith, Boyd Gaming’s president and CEO, announced that the construction of Norfolk Casino will begin soon. The actual groundbreaking was completed late last year but the construction work that started recently marked a major milestone in the process.

Smith explained: “When complete in just three short years, this $750 million resort will be an entertainment destination that this entire community can take pride in – drawing visitors from throughout the mid-Atlantic region and generating billions of dollars in economic activity for the City of Norfolk and the greater Hampton Roads area.”

Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Tribe selected Norfolk-based S.B. Ballard Construction Company and Yates Construction, which formed a joint venture called Yates/Ballard, for the construction of the new hotel and casino resort. Uri Clinton, Boyd’s EVP and general counsel, explained: “These two outstanding companies are the ideal team to lead construction of our resort on the Norfolk waterfront.”

During the construction, the $750 million project is expected to create 1,700 jobs. Besides permanent job opportunities, the new casino is going to revitalize the area, bringing economic stimulus in the form of taxes and salaries.