Norfolk Casino Temporary Gaming Hall Plans November Opening
Posted on: August 18, 2025, 04:36h.
Last updated on: August 18, 2025, 05:00h.
- A temporary casino in Norfolk will open in November
- Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe are constructing a $750 million casino resort in the Virginia city
- The permanent resort won’t open until late 2027
Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, the co-developers of a $750 million casino resort in Norfolk, will open a temporary gaming facility this fall.
The to-be-named entertainment destination isn’t to open until late 2027. A temporary casino, adequately named The Interim Gaming Hall, will open in November, officials with Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming have confirmed.
The pavilion tent will house about 130 slot machines. There aren’t currently any plans to operate live dealer table games or sports betting.
The slots will ring seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. Boyd Rewards, the casino company’s nationwide loyalty program, will be available.
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 Ron Bailey, general manager of the Norfolk casino.
The provisional gaming space will offer food and drinks from on-site food trucks. Alcohol will be available.
Boyd Gaming is seeking job applicants in Norfolk. Interested parties can search the available postings at this website.
Interim Gaming Hall
Virginia’s 2020 gaming bill, which authorized commercial casinos in select cities, allows temporary gaming facilities to operate while the construction of the permanent resort is ongoing. Boyd and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, the latter being Norfolk’s preferred gaming partner, will open The Interim Gaming Hall between Harbor Park and the Amtrak station on what is currently a paved parking lot.
To accommodate Amtrak passengers, the casino is running a free shuttle service to Lot E across Park Avenue. Come November, Lot E will also be used for patrons of The Interim Gaming Hall, which will further limit parking for Amtrak riders.
Lot E has only 121 parking spaces. Parking in the lot is $10 per day, and can be reserved through the ParkMobile app. An on-site worker monitors cars that don’t pay, with fines of $50 per day.
Amtrak passengers and casino guests are encouraged to use rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, or take a taxi.
The permanent casino is expected to ease the parking situation at Harbor Park, as the resort will include a 1,300-space parking garage. More than 100 will be designated for Amtrak riders.
Smoking Casino
Like most of Boyd Gaming’s properties, its Norfolk casino, including The Interim Gaming Hall, will allow cigarettes. Virginia’s indoor smoking law provides exemptions for casinos, which can allow tobacco use on 100% of their gaming floor area.
The permanent casino floor will measure 65,000 square feet and offer 50 table games, 1,500 slots, and a FanDuel Sportsbook. A 200-room hotel overlooking the Elizabeth River will be complemented by eight restaurants and bars, a live entertainment venue, a resort pool, and meeting facilities.
Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe paid Norfolk $10 million for the roughly nine-acre site where it’s under construction of the casino resort.
Boyd Gaming partnered with the federally recognized tribe in late 2024 after the Pamunkey’s previous partner, billionaire Jon Yarbrough, exited the project and sold off his 80% stake in the enterprise to Boyd.
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