Construction is officially underway for the highly anticipated $750 million Norfolk Casino.
Work began on Valentine’s Day, which marks a major milestone in the ambitious waterfront development.
To expedite the excitement, a temporary gaming facility will open later this year, providing an early taste of the venue's offerings.
The full casino is expected to open by late 2027.
“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,” said Keith Smith, president and chief executive officer of Boyd Gaming.
Joint Venture Powers Norfolk Casino
The Norfolk Casino is a collaborative effort by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, Boyd Gaming, and the City of Norfolk.
The construction efforts, which began with a groundbreaking ceremony in October, are being led by the Norfolk-based S.B. Ballard Construction Company and Yates Construction. During this phase, the city projects more than 1,700 jobs will be added to the workforce.
The goal is to transform the area near Harbor Park into a bustling entertainment hub. The casino is being built on the banks of the Elizabeth River in the heart of Norfolk.
What Will The New Norfolk Casino Offer in 2027?
The (permanent) full casino resort promises a 200-room hotel, eight diverse food and beverage outlets, a casino floor boasting 1,500 slot machines and 50 table games, and a 45,000-square-foot outdoor amenity deck.
The project is expected to create nearly 600 jobs and generate nearly $30 million in tax revenue.
It will be added to an already bustling casino industry in Old Dominion. The state’s three land-based casinos generated $72.3 million in adjusted gaming revenue in January alone. That’s an increase of nearly 40% year-over-year. Virginia casinos earned only $52.8 million the previous year.
Virginia Online Casino Bill Shelved
As work begins on the Norfolk casino, the push to legalize online casinos will have to wait until next year.
A Virginia online casino bill has been paused but could lead to legalization by 2026. Sen. Mamie Locke introduced Senate Bill 827 to establish a regulated online casino market in Virginia. However, according to The Virginia Mercury, during a Senate subcommittee hearing, Locke requested the bill be put on hold for further study.
The bill, submitted in December before Virginia's brief 30-day session, would have let the Virginia Lottery Board issue online casino licenses, charging operators a $1 million application fee and a 15% revenue tax. Each of the state's five casinos could host up to three online skins.
Del. Marcus Simon also paused his related House Bill 2171, advocating for a study group to explore potential benefits and target legalization in 2026.
Lawmakers are concerned that the Virginia Lottery is already overloaded, as the state expands gambling with five new casinos in development.
Overcoming Challenges and Building Momentum
So, if you’re tied to the casino industry in Virginia, there will be plenty to look forward to over the next couple of years.
The groundbreaking ceremony in October marked a pivotal moment for the Norfolk project, which had previously faced a series of negotiations, redesigns, and procedural hurdles since 2020.
But the introduction of Boyd Gaming as the facility's gaming operator in 2024 has accelerated the project's progress, paving the way for steady advancements. A similar push is what an online casino bill needs to get passed next year.
As both the Norfolk Casino project and the legalization of online casinos unfold, the community can anticipate the revitalization and economic boosts they’re expected to provide.
A new era of entertainment is not far off.
Until then, sweepstakes casinos are allowed in Virginia, as long as the sponsor awards the prize based on chance.
Sites like WOW Vegas Casino, Pulsz Casino, High 5 Casino, McLuck Casino, and Stake.us offer around 400 social casino games. Many offer no deposit bonus offers to get you in the game for free.
