In 2020, Norfolk was among the four Virginia cities to pass referendums to allow casino gaming. However, since then, Norfolk has made no progress towards building a permanent site.
That all changed on September 10, when the Norfolk City Council approved a deal between the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Boyd Gaming.
Under the new agreement, Boyd Gaming will build a casino resort near Harbor Park in Norfolk. Once completed, the casino will provide over 800 jobs to the community and approximately $30 million in tax revenue annually.
Key Highlights
- Norfolk City Council approved the casino deal between Pamunkey Tribe and Boyd Gaming.
- The new casino resort will bring over 800 jobs to the region and $30 million in tax revenue annually.
- The casino must be operational in some form by November 2025, or the city loses its rights to host a casino.
City Council Approves Deal Between Pamunkey Tribe and Boyd Gaming
On Tuesday September 10, the Norfolk City Council voted 7-1 in favor of a deal between the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming. The resolution certifies that Golden Eagle Consulting II LLC will serve as Norfolk’s preferred gaming operator.
Golden Eagle will now proceed with Boyd Gaming to build a casino resort that will include eight food and beverage outlets, a 200-room hotel, and a casino with approximately 1,500 slots and 50 table games.
The Pamunkey Indian Tribe has been working to develop a casino resort in Norfolk for the last several years. Boyd Gaming has started the process required to help the Tribe bring its vision to fruition in a way that will deliver meaningful benefits for the Tribe, the City of Norfolk and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Boyd Gaming and Pamunkey Indian Tribe Statement
In a joint statement, both parties announced their partnership last week, stating, “The Pamunkey Indian Tribe has been working to develop a casino resort in Norfolk for the last several years. Boyd Gaming has started the process required to help the Tribe bring its vision to fruition in a way that will deliver meaningful benefits for the Tribe, the City of Norfolk and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
This is the first of multiple approvals needed for the casino. Norfolk’s architectural review board delayed a vote on the design for the casino on Monday, September 9, but the City Council still finalized the agreement.
Councilwoman McClellan Says the City Has Been Dealt a “Bad Hand”
The only dissenting vote was from Councilwoman Andria McClellan. During the meeting, she stated, “We’ve been dealt a bad hand. What hasn’t changed in those five years? My original concerns. Concerns about public safety, the stress a casino will put on the adjacent neighborhood, and the worry that problem gambling will hurt those who can least afford it.”
You’ve got to generate revenue. There’s people who are going to come to Norfolk to spend their money here who are not local residents, and I want their money.
– Thomas R. Smigiel Jr., Norfolk City Councilman
McClellan’s statements fell on deaf ears as the other council members focused on revenue and job creation. As Councilman Tommy Smiegel states, “You’ve got to generate revenue. There’s people who are going to come to Norfolk to spend their money here who are not local residents, and I want their money.”
Norfolk Must Act Quickly or Lose Its Casino Authorization
Norfolk was one of the first areas to submit a casino concept in 2018, but it is the last to move forward with construction. Time is running out for the state as Virginia law states that a casino must be operational by November 2025, or it will lose its casino authorization.
However, the law offers leeway in that a casino does not need a permanent structure to meet the requirements.
For example, Danville and Bristol opened temporary casino locations while building permanent facilities. Portsmouth operators waited until construction was completed on Rivers Casino Portsmouth, which opened on January 23, 2023.
Norfolk may not be the last casino project for Virginia, as Petersburg voters will now get an opportunity to voice whether they want a casino. A November referendum will let voters choose whether to approve casino gambling in the region.
If approved, Baltimore-based Cornish Companies will develop Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia. The mixed-use gambling and entertainment venue is expected to cost over $1.4 billion.
Richmond twice attempted to pass referendums for a casino, with the most recent failing in 2023. As such, the Virginia Legislature passed bills to remove Richmond from the list of eligible cities to host a casino and replaced it with Petersburg.
Sources
https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/local/mycity/norfolk/norfolk-city-council-votes-approve-new-casino-ordinance-boyd-gaming/291-67a77b6d-1405-40bc-9847-eb8a537287de
https://virginiamercury.com/2024/04/24/petersburg-doubles-down-on-cordish-as-its-casino-operator/
