The wait is finally over for Norfolk locals and visitors eager to experience the thrill of the Norfolk Casino scene.
The city has entered the casino world with the opening of the Norfolk Casino Interim Gaming Hall.
This temporary facility is a significant milestone because it's the first time casino gaming is available in Norfolk, following years of planning and anticipation.
There are currently only three casinos operating in Virginia — Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, along with Rivers Casino Portsmouth, and Danville’s Caesars Virginia.
The Norfolk casino will mark the fourth casino to open in Virginia, which will be followed by a $1.4 billion Petersburg casino that broke ground in March.
What Will The Interim Norfolk Casino Offer?
The Interim Gaming Hall is a temporary casino set up by Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. It's located on Park Avenue near Harbor Park and serves as a preview for a larger $750 million casino being built next door in Norfolk.
This temporary venue has a tent-like structure and offers 132 slot machines within a 3,600-square-foot space. It's open every day from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. and features popular slot games like Buffalo Ultimate Stampede.
The capacity for the gaming floor will hover around 100 players at a time.
Visitors can also enjoy food from a food truck and try Virginia's first casino-based vending machine that sells ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages.
Setting the Stage for Norfolk's Permanent Casino Resort
The opening of the Norfolk Casino Interim Gaming Hall is an exciting step for the community. Here's why it matters:
- Virginia Law Requirement: The opening of the Interim Gaming Hall meets state rules. It was required to open by November 15, 2025. This temporary casino is just the beginning. It gives people a taste of what's to come.
Looking Ahead to the Permanent Norfolk Casino Resort
- Opening Timeline: Scheduled to open in late 2027.
- Features:
- Approximately 1,500 slot machines.
- 50 table games.
- A 200-room hotel.
- Dining venues and entertainment facilities.
- Beautiful outdoor spaces.
- Impact: This large-scale Norfolk Casino will be a major part of the city's entertainment offerings.
In short, the Norfolk Casino Interim Gaming Hall lets people start enjoying casino games now while they look forward to an even bigger entertainment destination in the future.
Norfolk Casino Expected to Generate Economic Growth
The Norfolk casino is expected to have a major positive effect on the local economy through multiple channels. Key economic impacts include:
Job Creation: The project will generate over 2,800 construction jobs and roughly 850 permanent jobs once the resort opens. These include casino management, IT, hospitality, entertainment, and support roles. Annual wages from these jobs will exceed $58 million, benefiting local workers.
Revenue Generation: The resort is projected to produce $20-30 million in annual revenue for Norfolk through gaming taxes, lease payments, and local business activity. A portion of casino revenue will feed directly into the city’s general fund, supporting schools, infrastructure, and public services.
Tourism and Entertainment Boost: The casino resort is designed as a year-round entertainment destination targeting over 3 million visitors annually, many from outside the region. This will increase tourism, hotel occupancy, and spending in related sectors (dining, retail, transportation).
Waterfront Revitalization: Positioned on the Elizabeth River waterfront, the casino project aims to transform an underused area into a vibrant, walkable destination, spurring adjacent real estate development and renewed economic activity.
Broader Economic Diversification: By adding a large private investment and entertainment venue, Norfolk expands its economic base beyond traditional sectors like defense spending, enhancing resilience and growth potential.
This step-by-step plan means that locals and visitors can look forward to ongoing entertainment. The temporary casino is just the beginning, with a future casino resort set to transform entertainment and the economy in the area.
The bottom line is that Norfolk is ushering in a new era of gaming and entertainment for the community, beginning today.
