The Virginia Lottery Board will consider the casino facility operator license application for Norfolk’s long-planned waterfront casino next week.
Casino owners Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe will appear before the Lottery Board at 1 p.m. Oct. 29 in Richmond over their operator license application for the as-yet unnamed Norfolk casino, which is scheduled to open in late 2027.
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Boyd plans to open a temporary gambling space called the Interim Gaming Hall in November. The tent-like structure will have 130 slot machines and limited food and drink for gamers while Boyd constructs the permanent location.
The meeting was mentioned Monday during a joint subcommittee studying the formation of the Virginia Gaming Commission. Currently, the Virginia Lottery oversees casino operations in the state.
According to a presentation by Virginia Lottery Executive Director Khalid Jones, localities have five calendar years from the certification of their gaming referendum to obtain a license. Norfolk voters approved the referendum on Nov. 3, 2020 and the state certified the results on Nov. 18, 2020.
“The final step is the Lottery Board votes and issues (a) license after a public hearing on the application review, one of which will happen next week,” Jones said.
Boyd Vice President of Governmental Affairs Ryan Soultz and Pamunkey representative Kevin Krigsvold also briefed lawmakers on the full casino project, with Soultz noting Boyd plans to significantly invest in the property above the $300 million minimum.
“What we are bringing to Norfolk is a true destination resort,” Soultz said.
The full casino will include a 65,000-square-foot gambling hall, a 200-room hotel, a parking deck, eight food and beverage outlets, a spa, fitness center and an outdoor pool and cabana deck, according to Boyd. The casino operator says it plans to spend at least $750 million on the property.
The casino plans have been delayed and scaled back since the Pamunkey Tribe sought city approval for a 500-room hotel and casino in 2019. Last year, the Pamunkey tribe replaced previous development partner and billionaire Jon Yarbrough, bringing Boyd Gaming on board after city approval of the project stalled.
Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com
