Norfolk Officials Approve Operating Partner for Casino Project

Officials in Norfolk, Virginia approved a partnership between a native tribe and a gaming company as talk of a new casino heats up.

A 7-1 vote taken on Tuesday night certified the Pamunkey Indian Tribe’s partnership with Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming, which owns and operates 28 casinos across 10 states. The Norfolk property will be Boyd’s first project in Virginia.

Boyd and the Pamuinkey tribe will work with Golden Eagle Consulting II, LLC, which negotiated the original development deal with Norfolk officials in January 2020.

Signing on

The Pamunkey Tribe was selected by Norfolk officials and was granted approval for the casino project by local voters during the November 2020 election. 

The tribe was first linked to Boys Gaming when it presented updated plans for the project that included Boyd as the casino operator.

“We are pleased to take this important step forward in helping the Pamunkey Indian Tribe realize its vision of a best-in-class gaming resort,” said Boyd Gaming CEO and president Keith Smith. “The greater Norfolk area is one of the largest underserved gaming markets in the mid-Atlantic region, and represents a compelling opportunity to further expand and diversify our Company’s nationwide presence.”

Plans for the $500 million property include 90,000 square feet of space, 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, and a 200-room hotel. 

Amenities such as restaurants, a pool deck, a spa and fitness center, meeting rooms, and a parking garage were also included.

“We appreciate the Norfolk City Council’s support and confidence in our development plans, and we look forward to partnering with the City and the Tribe as we continue the process of developing a transformational gaming entertainment experience on the Norfolk waterfront,” said Smith.

Construction to begin soon?

Golden Eagle was originally under the command of Jon Yarbrough, who has a long history in the manufacturing of gaming machines used in tribal casinos. However, new documents suggest that Yarbrough intends to sell his 80 percent stake in Golden Eagle to Boyd.

The financial details of the sale have not been revealed but will become clear once the appropriate paperwork is completed. 

“In Boyd, we have found a partner with the national expertise, financial strength, and strong commitment to community,” said Pamunkey Indian Tribe chief Robert Gray. “Together, we will deliver on our tribe’s promise to develop an amazing casino and resort that will attract tourists to Norfolk, provide local residents with good-paying jobs, and generate significant economic benefits for both Norfolk and the entire Commonwealth of Virginia.”

Estimates suggest that the casino will create more than 3,500 jobs at its planned site next to the Harbor Park baseball stadium, home of the Baltimore Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides.

The plan approved by voters in 2020 stipulated that casino must open by November 2025.