Construction on the $750 million Norfolk Casino project has reached a major milestone, with the future resort now standing six stories tall along the Elizabeth River waterfront.
The still-unnamed Norfolk Resort Casino is being developed between Harbor Park and the Amtrak station on a site covering just over six acres. More than a year after groundbreaking, the hotel tower has reached about half of its planned height, and project leaders say the development remains on schedule for a late 2027 opening.
The City of Norfolk has another architectural meeting scheduled next month.
There are currently three permanent casinos operating in Old Dominion — Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, along with Rivers Casino Portsmouth, and Danville’s Caesars Virginia.
The Norfolk casino will mark the fourth one to open in Virginia, which will be followed by the $1.4 billion Petersburg Casinos that broke ground in March of 2025.
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Norfolk Casino Shows Visible Progress
The Norfolk Casino project is becoming one of the most noticeable construction sites in downtown Norfolk. Crews have already used more than 1,000 tons of steel, poured 35,000 cubic yards of concrete, and installed 3,600 pounds of rebar.
Ron Bailey, general manager of the future casino resort, told WAVY-TV that the work remains on schedule and on budget. The completed hotel tower is expected to rise roughly 11 to 12 stories above the waterfront site.
The project is being led by Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming in partnership with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. The tribe became Norfolk’s preferred casino partner after city voters approved casino gaming through a 2020 referendum.
What Will the Norfolk Casino Include?
When it opens, the permanent Norfolk Casino will be much larger than the city’s current Interim Gaming Hall. Plans call for a full-scale resort with gaming, lodging, dining, entertainment, and outdoor amenities.
- 1,500 slot machines
- 50 table games
- Sportsbook
- 200-room hotel
- Eight restaurants, bars, and other food-and-beverage options
- A live entertainment venue
- 13,000 square feet of meeting space
- 45,000-square-foot outdoor amenity deck and pool
- Parking garage with roughly 1,000 spaces, including dedicated parking for Amtrak customers
- The site’s location could help connect gaming, entertainment, rail travel, baseball, and waterfront activity in one part of downtown Norfolk.
Interim Gaming Hall Remains Open
While the larger Norfolk Casino is under construction, gambling is already available at the nearby Interim Gaming Hall. The temporary facility opened in November 2025 and currently offers about 132 slot machines.
The interim venue is far smaller than the future resort, but it allowed casino operations to begin while the permanent development moved forward. Once the full resort opens, it is expected to replace the temporary gaming hall with a more complete entertainment destination.
Norfolk Casino Economic Impact
The $750 million development is privately funded and is widely viewed as a major economic project for Norfolk and the Hampton Roads region. Supporters expect the resort to create construction work, permanent jobs, new tax revenue, and added visitor spending.
Earlier project estimates have suggested the construction phase could support thousands of direct, indirect, and induced jobs. Once operating, the Norfolk Casino could employ hundreds of people across gaming, hotel operations, food service, security, entertainment, maintenance, and management.
Long-term projections have also pointed to potential gains from tourism, nearby business activity, hotel demand, and waterfront revitalization. However, those figures remain estimates. The final impact will depend on visitor demand, regional competition, operating performance, and the broader economy.
When Will Norfolk Casino Open?
The current target is a late 2027 opening for the permanent Norfolk Resort Casino. A final property name has not yet been announced.
For now, the six-story structure offers a clear sign that the project is moving from concept to reality. If the schedule holds, Norfolk could welcome one of Virginia’s largest casino-resort developments by the end of 2027.
