Call it a glimpse into the future.
Developers have announced that the temporary venue leading up to the $750 million Norfolk casino is on track to open on time.
The Interim Gaming Hall is expected to open in November, bringing a new place to play casino games to the Hampton Roads area.
Boyd Gaming is collaborating with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe on this temporary venue to offer people a preview of what the permanent casino will be like when it opens in 2027.
What the Norfolk Interim Gaming Hall Will Offer
This temporary casino will offer more than 130 slot machines. It will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., so you'll have lots of time to enjoy it.
Apart from gaming, there will be food and drinks available. Ghost Kitchen will serve up handheld sandwiches on site.
Opening the Interim Gaming Hall on time is critical to meet Virginia's regulations, which require Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Tribe to have the temporary casino ready by November 5 to secure the necessary license.
Missing this deadline could lead to delays or even the need to restart the approval process, possibly requiring a new public vote.
Looking Ahead to the Permanent Norfolk Casino
The permanent casino is part of a larger $750 million project.
It is expected to create 850 jobs. The resort will have a 65,000-square-foot casino, a 200-room luxury hotel, eight food and beverage outlets, and a 45,000-square-foot outdoor deck. The casino will be home to 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, and an event center.
Construction on the casino started in February after a groundbreaking ceremony in October.
Norfolk voters gave the green light to the casino project back in fall 2020, but disagreements over design plans between the Norfolk City Council and the developers stalled the work.
Originally, the Pamunkey Tribe was working with Tennessee investor Jon Yarbrough, but that partnership ended last year. Boyd Gaming then teamed up with the tribe, and together they decided to drop the "HeadWaters Resort & Casino" name that had been previously announced for the casino.
Golden Eagle is an entity owned by the Pamunkey Indian Tribal Gaming Authority to develop and operate a commercial casino resort in Norfolk.
A New Chapter for Norfolk Casino Gaming
The Interim Gaming Hall represents an important milestone in expanding gaming options in the area.
Ron Bailey, Vice President and General Manager of the new Norfolk casino, emphasizes that this step allows Hampton Roads residents to enjoy gaming while waiting for the larger project to finish.
He says it's not just about meeting regulations but also about bringing a new entertainment option to the region much sooner than 2027.
The entire project is expected to generate millions of dollars in tax revenues, create numerous jobs, and revitalize the Norfolk waterfront, in addition to enhancing tourism efforts for years to come.
It appears the future is now in Norfolk, Virginia.
