Virginia: Norfolk's long-awaited $750M casino breaks ground, backed by Boyd Gaming and Pamunkey Tribe

After years of anticipation, construction has officially begun on a new casino and resort project in downtown Norfolk, Virginia, led by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe in partnership with Boyd Gaming. The ceremonial groundbreaking, held outside Harbor Park, marked a major milestone in a venture that has faced numerous delays and revisions since its initial announcement in 2020.  

Chief Robert Gray of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe highlighted the historic significance of the project, describing it as an endeavor that connects the tribe’s longstanding heritage in the Tidewater region with a future of opportunity for growth. 

Chief Robert Gray of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe

"For the better part of 10,000 years, our ancestors have lived, hunted, fished and traded in Tidewater Virginia. While we’ve endured times of adversity, they’ve made us stronger,” he stated. “Today we stand shoulder to shoulder with Norfolk on a project making us more resilient and will uplift our communities."

The vision for Norfolk’s new casino has evolved substantially since the public approved casino construction in a 2020 referendum. Following several years of financial restructuring and design changes, Boyd Gaming joined as the lead developer and operator, committing to a $750 million investment.

Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith emphasized the company’s aim of delivering a top-tier resort. "For those worried about Boyd honoring the commitment to the city, we’ve not only honored it but we’re exceeding it from prior developers. This will be a $750 million casino resort,” Smith stated.

The final go-ahead for construction came earlier last month when the Norfolk City Council granted a development certificate, their last required vote for the project.

While Wednesday’s ceremony set a symbolic beginning, Smith indicated that actual construction would commence within a few months, estimating a timeline of six to eight months to mobilize crews on site. The project, still unnamed, will occupy a plot adjacent to Harbor Park, creating a key attraction in the heart of Norfolk.

13News Now reported that Boyd Gaming will control the majority stake and oversee the casino’s operations, while the Pamunkey Tribe will hold a 20% equity share. The temporary casino will open in about a year, serving patrons with gaming, dining, and other amenities until the full-scale resort is ready.

Boyd estimates that the main complex, which will feature a 200-room hotel, eight dining options, 1,500 slot machines, and 50 table games, will open by late 2027. Plans for a marina along the Elizabeth River were scrapped to streamline costs, but Norfolk leaders, including Mayor Kenneth Alexander, have highlighted the project’s potential to become a key economic and cultural hub for the region.

“This isn’t just breaking ground on a casino,” Gray noted in his remarks to the crowd. “It’s the next step in providing an opportunity for our tribe and other Virginia tribes.”

Norfolk’s new casino will join Rivers Casino Portsmouth, which opened last year and has generated $250 million in gaming revenue. The Norfolk project is on track to meet the five-year deadline imposed by the 2020 casino referendum, enabling the developers to secure a state gaming license and advance construction on schedule.

Amid the cheers of a Norfolk State University marching band performance and Gray’s greeting in the Pamunkey tribe’s Algonquin language, officials noted the collaboration’s long-term value for Norfolk. "This is for real,” Smith said in later comments to the media.