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The Norfolk City Council approved a purchase and development agreement with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Vegas-based Boyd Gaming. After delays, the two parties can advance construction plans for a new waterfront casino near Harbor Park.
- The agreement passed by a 7-1 vote on Tuesday night.
- Virginia casino project is expected to generate significant economic benefits for Norfolk.
- HeadWaters casino project first received voters’ approval in 2020 and is now facing a November 2025 deadline to get their state license.
Norfolk council OKs Pamunkey Tribe and Boyd Gaming partnership
City Council members voted 7-1 on Sept. 10 to approve a Virginia casino development agreement between the city, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Boyd Gaming.
The new agreement, which the two parties filed with the city, replaces Jon Yarbrough as the corporate partner of the King William County tribe. The involved parties have also removed the casino’s old name, HeadWaters Resort & Casino, and are working on a new name and brand.
In addition, they provided a timeline to start construction of both the temporary facility and the permanent casino project in early 2025:
- Temporary casino
- Should commence in late February 2025
- Complete by mid-October 2025
- Planned opening on Nov. 5, 2025
- Permanent casino
- Construction would start in mid-January 2025
- Complete in August 2027
- Opening sometime in September 2027
Councilwoman Andria McClellan was the only one to vote against the project. McClellan expressed her concerns, like public safety costs and problem gambling, which she said still hadn’t been discussed.
She also indicated that the planned waterfront casino was now smaller than the one proposed four years ago.
Norfolk casino project expects to generate significant revenue
According to the Pamunkey tribe’s Norfolk casino updated renderings, the gaming facility will feature:
- 1,500 slot machines
- 13,000 square feet of meeting space
- 50 table games
- A 200-room hotel
- Eight restaurants and bars
The casino project is expected to create over 3,500 jobs and generate $230 million in annual wages and sales.
According to a WHRO Public Media news article, Norfolk Councilman Thomas Smigiel Jr. said:
“You have to generate revenue. There are people that are going to come to Norfolk and spend their money here that are not local residents and I want their money.”
Public support for Norfolk casino from the mayor and Tribe Chief
As the article further states, Robert Gray, the Chief of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe said this is a step in the right direction:
“The Pamunkey Tribe has been in Virginia for over 10,000 years. We see this as a great opportunity to help our tribal citizens with education, housing, medical care and empower their lives.”
During Tuesday’s city council meeting, Norfolk’s City Manager Pat Roberts emphasized that the “estimated tax revenue is over $30 million after the permanent opening sometime in 2027.”
Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander stated: “Boyd Gaming Corp., in partnership with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, is set to deliver a premier destination that will generate millions of dollars in tax revenues, create numerous jobs and revitalize our waterfront.
This project will not only enhance our tourism efforts but also enable us to invest in key priorities that will benefit our community for years to come.”
After the city council meeting, Keith Smith, president and CEO of Boyd Gaming said:
“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.
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. We appreciate the Norfolk City Council’s support and confidence in our development plans.”
Norfolk casino project first received voters’ approval in 2020
The Pamunkey Tribe initially partnered with Yarbrough, ensuring the building of the $500 million tribal gaming facility on the Elizabeth River. However, disagreements between the developers and the city have postponed the project.
To retain the right to build a casino under the 2020 referendum vote and receive the Virginia State Lottery license, the developers must now meet a November 2025 deadline and complete a temporary casino by then.
Voters approved the resort via referendum in November 2020. Three casinos opened in:
- Danville
- Bristol
- Portsmouth
Richmond voters rejected casino referendums twice, and the state legislature voted to provide Petersburg the opportunity earlier this year.
In the referendum in November 2024, Petersburg voters will decide whether they want the casino in their town.
