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Norfolk’s City Council Finally Approves Casino Project, Construction Can Now Begin

In Virginia, the Norfolk City Council finally approved the updated design for the city’s casino project, allowing construction to start.

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Katarina Vojvodic Avatar
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The Norfolk City Council has approved the updated design of the city’s proposed casino project. The council’s green light means the planned casino development on the banks of the Elizabeth River near Harbor Park can move forward.

The Norfolk casino had already received approval from the planning commission and then headed to the City Council for final approval.

Key takeaways

Norfolk City Council votes 7-1 to approve Virginia casino

Norfolk City Council voted 7-1 on Oct. 8 to approve the development certificate for the Virginia casino.

Councilwoman Andria McClellan was again the only one not supporting the project, as she was concerned about the developer allowing indoor smoking.

The Tuesday night ballot comes after the Council’s September vote to allow Boyd Gaming to substitute a billionaire, Jon Yarbrough, to build the casino on behalf of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. Boyd said it would collaborate with the Pamunkeys through Golden Eagle Consulting II LLC to build the casino.

While Boyd will acquire a majority interest in Golden Eagle Consulting (founded by Yarbrough), the Tribe will purchase a 20% stake.

The proposed waterfront casino will be a $500 million investment and will feature:

  • 1,500 slots
  • 50 table games
  • A 200-room hotel with a pool deck
  • Eight bars and restaurants
  • A showroom
  • Spa, fitness center, meeting space and parking garage

Boyd Gaming promised the project would deliver “meaningful benefits” for the tribe, the city of Norfolk and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Furthermore, the Norfolk, Virginia casino project promises to create more than 3,500 jobs, generating nearly $230 million in annual wages and sales.

Norfolk casino construction plans advance after years of delays

HeadWaters casino project first received voters’ approval in 2020.

When Virginia’s General Assembly approved commercial casinos to open in five cities across the state, voters in Norfolk and most other towns approved local referendums in 2020. While the measure paved the way for developers to get the ball rolling, the Pamunkey plan fell behind all the others.

The Tribe initially united with Yarbrough, but the city postponed the project due to their disagreements. After partnering with Boyd Gaming last month, the Tribe still has a chance to retain the right to build a casino under the 2020 referendum vote and receive the Virginia State Lottery license.

But Boyd and the Pamunkeys must open a temporary casino by November 2025.

The developers said the permanent casino building would begin mid-January next year and be complete by August 2027. The opening would take place the following month.

Katarina Vojvodic Avatar
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Katarina Vojvodic is a lead writer for PlayUSA who lives in Toronto. Vojvodic provides coverage of the US gambling industry with a focus on US online casinos. Previously, she covered Ontario’s online gambling industry for PlayCanada.com. Vojvodic holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Belgrade. Outside working hours, she can be found near the water with her husband and their two kids.

View all posts by Katarina Vojvodic

Katarina Vojvodic is a lead writer for PlayUSA who lives in Toronto. Vojvodic provides coverage of the US gambling industry with a focus on US online casinos. Previously, she covered Ontario’s online gambling industry for PlayCanada.com. Vojvodic holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Belgrade. Outside working hours, she can be found near the water with her husband and their two kids.

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