Norfolk Officials Count on Boyd’s New Casino to Boost the Economy

With Norfolk set to become the home of Virginia’s latest land-based casino, officials hope that the new property will serve as a key economic driver. While the opening of the permanent casino is still several years away, Boyd Gaming will soon open a temporary venue, tapping into the local demand for gaming.

Boyd Is Working on Virginia’s Latest Casino

Boyd Gaming, in collaboration with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, started construction of the Old Dominion’s latest casino in early 2025. Back then, the operator confirmed that it was working on a temporary property too.

Boyd and the Pamunkey’s plans are to erect a large casino resort with 200 hotel rooms, multiple restaurants, leisure facilities, and a casino floor sporting some 1,500 slots, 50 gaming tables, and a sportsbook.

As Boyd’s work progressed, the operator provided clearer forecasts, saying that it hopes to open the permanent casino resort in 2027 and the temporary casino in November 2025. The latter will be dubbed “The Interim Gaming Hall” and will be an opportunity for locals to take a glimpse into what kind of experiences Boyd is planning to bring to the area.

For context, The Interim Gaming Hall will be located next to the Harbor Park Minor League Baseball Stadium.

Locals Hope the Casino Resort Will Bolster the Economy

Speaking to The Virginian-Pilot, local officials said they are looking forward to the property, hoping that it will breathe new life into downtown Norfolk. Sean Washington, executive director of the Norfolk Economic Development Authority, said that he hopes the new state-of-the-art property and the city’s baseball team, the Norfolk Tides, will bolster the local economy.

For context, the casino would create some 2,850 construction jobs, as well as 850 permanent jobs, and will contribute an estimated $2.9 billion to the local economy over its first decade of operation.

Washington added that locals also count on the new property to breathe new life into the local nightlife. For context, Norfolk previously cracked down on nightclubs due to multiple cases of crime. Since then, nightlife has been slower and many shops and spaces remain vacant.  

Washington and other officials are optimistic about the casino property and trust in Boyd’s experience and proven track record.  

Earlier this year, Boyd also unveiled plans for a revolutionary new facility in Illinois.