Boyd Gaming Breaks Ground on $750M Casino Resort in Virginia’s Norfolk

On Wednesday, Boyd Gaming and its local development collaborator, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, commenced construction on a $750 million venture — $250 million more than the earlier proposal — that will introduce a casino resort to the City of Norfolk in Virginia. 

Following years of postponement, the Pamunkey Tribe, Norfolk's "sole gaming developer" since state legislators enacted laws in 2020 qualifying the Hampton Roads city for a commercial casino, has at last begun excavation. The development is being constructed next to the Harbor Park Minor League Baseball stadium, located by the Elizabeth River. 

The historic event followed the Pamunkey's earlier investor, billionaire Jon Yarbrough, consenting to sell his share in the business to Boyd, based in Las Vegas.

"In three short years, this site will be home to a $750 million entertainment and gaming destination that this entire community will be able to take pride in. A destination that will draw visitors from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region,” said Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith.

Pamunkey Chief Robert Gray stated that his tribe has historical connections to the Norfolk region that extend back 10,000 years.

"Our ancestors lived, hunted, fished, and traded in the Tidewater, Virginia, area. While the tribe has endured periods of adversity, those times have made us stronger. Today, we stand shoulder to shoulder with Norfolk to embark on a project that will lift up both of our communities.”

To showcase their dedication to the area, Boyd and the Pamunkey Tribe donated a $100,000 check to Norfolk State University to mark the casino resort’s groundbreaking. 

Tribal History 

In 2018, aiming to enhance its economic independence, the Pamunkey tribe and Yarbrough collaborated on a casino project focused on the Norfolk region. Once Norfolk was chosen for a commercial casino, city officials and the tribe agreed to make the tribe its sole gaming developer to avoid having two casinos in the area. 

Yarbrough and the tribe, collaborating as Golden Eagle Consulting II, LLC, faced numerous obstacles in advancing its $500 million commercial casino resort named HeadWaters to the construction phase. 

In addition to legal challenges regarding the location of a temporary casino, which required several design modifications, Congress’ $14 billion infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden in 2021 granted nearly $400 million in federal funds for building a 17-foot-high seawall along the Elizabeth River. The seawall compelled Yarbrough and the tribe to reevaluate their plans, as their casino vision had consistently incorporated a riverfront hotel and marina for boaters to dock and visit the resort. 

A few months back, Yarbrough consented to sell his 80% ownership in Golden Eagle to Boyd. Thanks to Boyd’s support, the project rapidly established its scope, and the resort’s application promptly passed through the different city agencies to receive approval to start construction. 

Upcoming Casino 

Boyd abandoned the HeadWaters name for its gaming project with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. No name was verified at today's groundbreaking. 

The $750 million initiative advancing includes a hotel with 200 rooms, eight dining and drinking establishments, a live performance venue, meeting areas, a resort-style pool, a casino featuring 1,500 slot machines, 50 live dealer table games, and a sportsbook. 

The project is anticipated to launch a temporary gaming pavilion tent close to the construction area, as authorized by the 2020 casino legislation. 

According to Virginia law, smoking will be permitted. A small assembly of optimistic casino employees gathered this morning at the construction site to urge Boyd to rethink exploiting the indoor smoking exception.