Developers of $750M Norfolk casino secure license to operate

The Virginia Lottery Board has approved a license for the developers of Norfolk‘s $750 million casino, clearing the way for a temporary gaming hall to open next month.

According to a Wednesday announcement from Boyd Gaming, which is developing the casino along with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, the Virginia Lottery Board evaluated the application and determined the applicant met the standards of integrity, financial stability, security and responsible gaming. The board is tasked with regulating lottery and gaming activities under state law.

The casino gaming operator’s license was approved for Golden Eagle Corporation II, a limited liability company for the developers and operators of the casino.

The approval clears the way for the opening of the Interim Gaming Hall — a temporary predecessor to the permanent casino — in November. Located beside the permanent resort site, The Interim will have more than 130 slot machines on a single-level gaming floor and some food and beverages. Its initial hours will be from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

“For the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, this license is more than regulatory clearance, it is a milestone of opportunity, a reaffirmation of our long-term vision for economic development, job creation and partnership with the community of Norfolk,” Pamunkey Indian Tribe Chief Kevin Brown said in a statement. “We look forward to shared success ahead with our partners at Boyd Gaming and the City of Norfolk.”

The developers anticipate opening the permanent casino resort in late 2027. Expected to create 850 jobs, the resort will have a 65,000-square-foot casino, a 200-room hotel, eight food and beverage outlets, and a 45,000-square-foot outdoor deck. It will also include 1,500 slot machines and 50 table games, as well as 13,000 square feet of meeting space and 4,000 square feet of spa and gym.

Construction on the casino began in February.

“We are honored to receive the Virginia Lottery Board’s approval,” Ron Bailey, general manager and vice president of the Norfolk casino, said in a statement. “With this step complete, we have taken a major step toward the realization of our vision of creating a best-in-market gaming resort in the city of Norfolk. We look forward to opening the doors of The Interim Gaming Hall next month and continue to work toward the opening of our $750 million casino resort in late 2027.”

Virginia has three operating casinos in Bristol, Danville and Portsmouth, and construction on the $1.4 billion Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia in Petersburg began in March.