Norfolk Casino Group Granted Temporary Operators License for Nov. 15 Launch

The road to casino gaming in Norfolk just took a fortunate turn for local supporters.

The operators behind a Norfolk, Virginia casino project were granted gaming licenses via a unanimous vote by the Virginia Lottery Board on Wednesday afternoon. The casino now has until Nov. 15 – just over two weeks away – to open to be in compliance with Virginia law.

The temporary casino is expected to be used to hold over visitors until the permanent location finishes construction in late 2027.

A taste of the real thing

The temporary casino, known as “The Interim Gaming Hall,” will be overseen by Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. Headlined by 130 slot machines, guests will be able to visit the property from 10:00-2:00 a.m. ET and will be allowed to use Boyd Rewards, the company’s loyalty program.

Table games won’t be available until the full location opens its doors in 2027.

“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,” Chief of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe Kevin Brown said.

Ron Bailey, Vice President and General Manager of the casino, said back in the summer that the temporary casino will hold customers over until the permanent location’s grand opening, while also working to the benefit of the Norfolk community.

“The Interim Gaming Hall is a perfect brand for our temporary casino – a sneak peek of the exciting gaming experience and memorable guest service we plan to offer the entire Hampton Roads community,” said Bailey.

Boyd lays out plans and commitments

More details shared about the temporary casino revealed that customers will be offered parking across the street. Indoor smoking will be permitted, local food trucks will offer food and beverages for patrons. 

The permanent location will boast 65,000 square feet of gaming space, a 200-room hotel, eight eateries, live entertainment, and an outdoor leisure deck. The casino’s leadership plans to announce the casino’s brand in 2026.

"We prepared for this from a design standpoint. What’s going to happen is, Chef Blake’s food truck will be brought up against the structure,” Bailey told local news outlet WAVY. “And so people will be able to go from the inside, right to the food, up to the window of the food truck. So you never have to go outside.”

The permanent casino will sit next to Harbor Park, a 12,067-seat stadium that is home to the Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A affiliate of MLB’s Baltimore Orioles.

In a show of good faith, Boyd Gaming earlier this year added $1 million to its $750 million casino plan in the form of a donation to Norfolk State University. It had previously donated $100,000 to NSU during a ceremony celebrating the beginning of the casino’s construction.

Boyd has also committed $50,000 in grants to Old Dominion University and Tidewater Community College, which have locations in Norfolk.