Norfolk Casino | Deadline Opening Nov. 2025

•Temp casino opens Oct. 2025
• Permanent opens Sep. 2027
• New casino name is pending

Nation | Tribe: Pamunkey Indian Tribe, partnered with Boyd Gaming

NORFOLK CASINO

200 Park Avenue
Norfolk, Virginia

The Norfolk casino (final name is pending) will be a $750 million casino, hotel, and entertainment destination built on the Elizabeth River adjacent to Harbor Ballpark in Norfolk, Virginia. A transitional casino in a tent-like structure will open before the Nov. 2025 mandatory deadline to secure the gaming license. A permanent casino with 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, 8 restaurants, a 200-room hotel, and event center will open in September 2027.

Casino • Sports • Live Dealer • Poker
#1 Choice of U.S. Players!
$3,000 Casino Welcome Bonus!
$3,750 Crypto Welcome Bonus!  BOVADA CASINO

Norfolk Resort & Casino - Released Aug. 15, 2024

Norfolk Casino

The long-delayed Norfolk casino project appears has been saved by a last-minute change in partners and a new plan. The Pamunkey Tribe has changed its development and operations partner to Boyd Gaming, a multibillion Las Vegas company with 28 casinos nationwide.

The new plan is to meet the Nov. 2025 state deadline for a gaming license by opening a transitional casino by mid-October 2025. Details about the features of this casino are still pending.

A permanent casino will replace the transitional casino in Sept. 2027. This casino will feature 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, eight restaurants and bars, a 200-room hotel with a spa and meeting space, an event center, and a 1.300-space parking garage.

Development Schedule

In September 2024 the future of the long-delayed Norfolk casino began looking brighter. The Norfolk City Council has approved a revised development plan that has added Boyd Gaming as a partner with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. Boyd Gaming is a multi-billion Las Vegas company that owns and operates 28 other casino nationwide, including Sky River Casino, an Indian casino near Sacramento.

The Norfolk casino project is facing a Nov. 5, 2025 deadline for obtaining a casino license, or starting over to face another voter referendum. The new plan will start construction of the permanent casino on Octber 30, 2024 followed by the start construction on a transitional casino a month later. The transitional casino will be completed by mid-October 2025, in time to secure a casino license before the deadline. Construction of the permanent casino would continue until its completion in August 2027. The permanent Norfolk casino would open in September 2027.

Norfolk Casino History

The original Norfolk casino project never gained approval for construction. The project was named the 'HeadWaters Resort & Casino' and included a casino with 2,000 slot machines and 50 table games, a hotel with 300 rooms, a spa and a rooftop pool, multiple restaurants including a steakhouse, an event center and a rooftop entertainment area.

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe had partnered Golden Eagle Consulting, a casino development company owned by Jon Yarbrough, a billionaire gaming industry veteran. For four years the partnership failed to get city approval to build the casino.

In September 2024 Boyd Gaming, a successful Las Vegas casino developer and operator, bought out Jon Yarbrough's ownership in Golden Eagle Consulting. Boyd Gaming manages 28 casinos across 10 states including Sky River Casino, a large Indian casino near Sacramento.

The new partnership of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Boyd Gaming are now working feverish with the city to save the Norfolk casino project before the November 2025 licensing deadline.

News Headlines

Norfolk Casino | New Price Tag is $750M October 31, 2024 - In comments made after the Norfolk casino groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, Boyd Gaming said it is committed to spending $750 million to build the new casino, hotel and ... Read more Norfolk Casino Holds Groundbreaking Today! Oct. 30, 2024 October 30, 2024 - Finally! The groundbreaking for the Norfolk casino was held today! The Pamunkey Indian Tribe and their new partner, Boyd Gaming, are planning to introduce ... Read more Norfolk Casino Gets Final Approval October 8, 2024 - The City Council of Norfolk, Virginia met tonight and granted final approval for construction of the Norfolk Casino. The council voted 7-1 to approve the design of a $750 million casino ... Read more "Norfolk casino project WILL be built," Pamunkey Chief September 13, 2024 - Pamunkey Indian Tribe Chief Robert Gray told news media Wednesday he has "absolute confidence" the long-delayed Norfolk casino will finally be built ... Read more Norfolk City Council approves revised casino plan September 11, 2024 - After years of delays the Norfolk City Council took major action last night to move the Norfolk casino project closer to construction. The council voted 7-1 to approve ... Read more Norfolk Casino | New Partner! New Plans! September 4, 2024 - A shocking change in the stalled Norfolk casino project may be emerging. The Norfolk City Council will meet on Sept. 10 to vote on replacing the current casino developer ... Read more Headlines continued...

Play Hot Drop Jackpots!
Hourly Daily Super Jackpots
Jackpots 24/7, 1 every hour, 1 every day, and 1 before the pot hits $250K! Learn more!

Norfolk Casino Features

Project Mermaid

The Norfolk casino project, now referred to as Project Mermaid by new partner Boyd Gaming, will be built in a "single-phase" that includes both a transitional casino and a permanent casino.

PERMANENT CASINO
Construction starts in mid-January 2025
Opens Sept. 2027
Details below.

TRANSITIONAL CASINO
Construction starts in February 2025.
Opens by Nov. 2025
Details pending.

Permanent Casino

PERMANENT CASINO FEATURES
Opening date is Sept. 2027.
The following features are the most recent disclosures about the permanent facility. Additioinal information is pending..

Gaming

Restaurant

Entertainment Venue

500 Nations - FREE CASINO GAMES
No Signup - No Deposit - No Download

Hotel

Parking

News Articles

Norfolk Casino | New Price Tag is $750M

October 31, 2024

In comments made after the Norfolk casino groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, Boyd Gaming said it is committed to spending $750 million to build the new casino, hotel and entertainment complex on the Elizabeth River. This is a 50% increase in investment over the previous commitment of $500 million. Boyd Gaming recently joined the Pamunkey Tribe as a new partner in the Norfolk casino project and owns an 80% share.

The casino project is facing a November 2025 deadline established by the 2020 ballot referendum that requires the Norfolk casino to be licensed and operational before that date. The building plans must still be finalized and submitted to the city. Then the building permits must be issued before construction can begin.

"For those people who were worried about whether Boyd Gaming was going to honor the commitment to the city, not only have we honored it, we've exceeded the commitment of previous developers and this will be a $750 million casino resort."

- Keith Smith, Pres. & CEO Boyd Gaming

The Norfolk casino plan is to open a temporary casino before the Nov. 2025 deadline, and then continue with construction with a permanent casino which will open in September 2027.

Boyd Gaming plans to break ground on the temporary casino by the end of this year.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino Holds Groundbreaking Today! Oct. 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Finally! The groundbreaking for the Norfolk casino was held today! The Pamunkey Indian Tribe and their new partner, Boyd Gaming, are planning to introduce casino gaming to Norfolk within 12 months.

[ No Ads ]

Norfolk hosts groundbreaking ceremony for casino - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Oct 30, 2024. Available from YouTube

The ceremony was held in the parking lot at the building site between Norfolk's Amtrak station and Harbor Park. The public was not invited. The event was attended by tribal leaders, Boyd Gaming executives, and Norfolk city officials. Short speeches were delivered by Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander, Pamunkey Indian Tribe Chief Robert Gray, and Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith.

"We feel very comfortable and we're just excited to be able to bring the project to fruition for the city and the Commonwealth and the Tribe."

- Chief Robert Gray, Pamunkey Indian Tribe

In Nov. 2020 the voters of Norfolk, Virginia authorized the Pamunkey Indian Tribe to build a casino on the Elizabeth riverfront next to Harbor Park. Since then, the clock has been ticking (and ticking) away. Four years of delays have brought the window for construction down to just the next 12 months to meet the mandatory opening deadline. The law says the Norfolk casino must be licensed and operational no later than Nov. 5, 2025.

The casino development plan is to open a transitional casino in Oct. 2025 to secure the gaming license and to operate during construction of the permanent casino. Details of the temporary facility have not been announced. The permanent casino is targeted to open in Aug. 2027 and will include 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, eight restaurants, and a five-story hotel with 200 rooms.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk casino will celebrate groundbreaking on Oct. 30

October 16, 2024

Yesterday, the Pamunkey Tribe and its new partner, Boyd Gaming, announced the groundbreaking date for the Norfolk casino will be Wednesday, October 30 at 11 AM. The location for the event will be the future casino site next to Harbor Park at 200 Park Avenue.

[ No Ads ]

Norfolk casino groundbreaking set for October 30 - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Oct 15, 2024. Available from YouTube

After four years of delays, the Norfolk casino project has turned around quickly since getting a new partner and a new plan. In three short weeks the new casino plan was approved by the Norfolk Architectural Review Board, the Planning Commission, and the City Council.

The groundbreaking ceremony will be a private event. Attendees will include Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander, Pamunkey Chief Robert Gray, and Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith.

Further details about the event were not included in the press release.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino Gets Final Approval

October 8, 2024

The City Council of Norfolk, Virginia met tonight and granted final approval for construction of the Norfolk Casino. The council voted 7-1 to approve the design of a $750 million casino and hotel to be built along the Elizabeth River at 200 Park Avenue.

[ No Ads ]

[ NO ADS ]
Norfolk green lights new casino plans, allowing construction to begin - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Oct 8, 2024. Available from YouTube

Prior to tonight's action by the City Council, the Architectural Review Board voted 6 to 1 to the approve the casino construction project. That was followed a few days later with the City Planning Commission granting its approval with a 5 to 1 vote.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino plan heads for final approval

September 27, 2024

Norfolk's Planning Commission has approved the Norfolk casino development plan as proposed by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and its new partner, Boyd Gaming. This action follows the approval by the Norfolk Architectural Review Board earlier this week. The Norfolk casino plan will now return to the City Council for a vote on final approval. The next city council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 8th.

If the city council gives final approval, construction of the $750 million Norfolk casino will begin in January 2025 with a target completion date of September 2027. Construction of the transitional Norfolk casino will begin in February 2025 with a target completion date in mid-October 2025.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino moves forward with Architectural Review Board approval

September 25, 2024

The latest plans for building the Norfolk casino project were approved by the Architectural Review Board on Monday by a 6-1 vote. The board said there are still concerns that some of the design details remain undefined; and therefore, the approval comes with conditions.

[ NO ADS ]

[ NO ADS ]
Norfolk casino moves forward amid design concerns - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Sep 23, 2024. Available from YouTube

Board member Gregory Rutledge said this: "It's going to be an icon on the waterfront, it's going to be a symbol on the intercoastal waterway. These buildings [have] got to be right, it's got to look right, it's got to stand up for the test of time, so these details matter."

The board wants more specific details about the building concepts and the types of materials to be used. These factors will determine how the sun reflects off the building.

The Cape Henry Audubon Society is concerned that birds may be harmed by the casino design. Audubon representative Pat Scanlon told the board that birds could "become exhausted from the light and swirling and going nowhere then they start crashing into buildings."

"If we were to approve this at this level and never see it again, we'd have no idea that the finished project would look like what we saw today," Rutledge said. "We have several specific details that we want them to come back and show us how they're developing the exterior design of the building, but also come back and what we call a design development phase of the project. Not quite 100% design, but it's further along than what we saw today."

- Gregory Rutledge, Architectural Review Board

The Norfolk Casino project plans will next be reviewed for approval by the Norfolk City Planning Commission.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino | September 2024 Updates

September 18, 2024

Additional information about the new Norfolk Casino agreement with the City of Norfolk was disclosed yesterday. The topics include Amtrack support, the city land sale for the casino, and the smoking policy inside the casino

Casino Land
The Norfolk casino will purchase 8 acres of the city-owned land adjacent to Harbor Park. The purchase price will be $10 million. The size of the casino site was reduced from an original 13.4 acres to allow construction of a 17-foot-high seawall along the riverbank.

Amtrack Parking
Amtrack riders currently park on the city land that will become the building site for the casino. These riders will continue to park free in that area during construction and after the casino opens. A shuttle service will transport Amtrack riders from a temporary parking lot during construction. When the 1,300-space parking garage is completed, there will be 103 spaces reserved for Amtrak customers.

Smoking Areas
Smoking will be allowed inside a designated area of the gaming area of the Norfolk casino. Blueprints show "best-in-class ventilation systems" to protect nonsmoking areas.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

"Norfolk casino project WILL be built," Pamunkey Chief

September 13, 2024

Pamunkey Indian Tribe Chief Robert Gray told news media Wednesday he has "absolute confidence" the long-delayed Norfolk casino will finally be built.

The chief's comments came after Tuesday night's vote by the Norfolk City Council to approve a revised casino plan that added Boyd Gaming Corp. as a partner in the tribe's casino project.

"We feel very comfortable and we're just excited to be able to bring the project to fruition for the city and the Commonwealth and the Tribe."

- Robert Gray, Pamunkey Chief

[No Ads]

Casino plans in Norfolk move forward - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Sep 11, 2024. Available from YouTube

Boyd Gaming brings a major lift to saving the failing Norfolk casino project. Chief Gray said, "We always knew we were going to need a professional management team and that's what we did. We went searching out, talked to several, but extremely impressed with Boyd's experience."

Construction will start at the start of 2025 pending approvals of the architectural plans and the building permits.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk City Council approves revised casino plan

September 11, 2024

After years of delays the Norfolk City Council took major action last night to move the Norfolk casino project closer to construction. The council voted 7-1 to approve a revised casino plan from the Pamunkey Indian Tribe that adds Boyd Gaming as a new partner.

[No Ads]

Norfolk bets on new partner to bring casino to life - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Sep 10, 2024. Available from YouTube

Here are the major issues approved last night by the Norfolk City Council:

• PARTNERSHIP
  The City Council approved Boyd Gaming as a new partner with the Pamunkey Tribe. Boyd will replace Jon Yarbrough, an original investor, and will buy out Yarbrough's interest in Golden Eagle Consulting II, LLC, the operating entity for the Norfolk casino.

• CASINO SITE
  The council update the option to sell 6 acres of city-owned land for the casino site near the Elizabeth River and Harbor Park. The site was originally 13.4 acres; however, the land was reduced to 6 acres to accomodate for construction of a seawall. The City Manager is now authorized to execute the development agreement and site plan agreements.

• TRANSITIONAL CASINO
  The construction of the Norfolk casino will be a "single-phase project" which includes a temporary, or transitional, casino. Construction of the permanent casino will start in mid-January 2025. Construction of the temporary casino will follow the next month. The temporary casino will be completed by October 2025 and open before the November deadline. The permanent casino will be completed in August 2025 and open in the next month.

• HOTEL CHANGES
  The council accepted the plan to downsize the size of the hotel from 300 rooms to 200 rooms.

• NAME CHANGE
  The casino no longer has an official name. The Headwaters name and brand are officially gone. A temporary nickname is "Project Mermaid."

Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander was excited about the City Council's vote. He said "I am excited to recognize this significant milestone in our journey to bring a world-class casino and hotel resort to the Harbor Park Entertainment District."

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino | Next Step

September 9, 2024

The Norfolk City Council will meet tomorrow evening to decide whether to accept the latest casino plan from the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Boyd Gaming Corp. The city council's decision includes selling 6 acres of city land next to Harbor Park to the casino partners for the casino site.

The latest casino plan seeks to resolve differences between the tribe and the city on pre-requirement issues that have caused long delays in starting construction. Here are the major changes introduced in the new casino plan:

Ownership Change
The plan would replace the original development partner of the Pamunkey Tribe, Golden Eagle Consulting II, LLC., with a new partner, Boyd Gaming Corp. Boyd is a multi-billion casino developer and operator headquartered near Las Vegas. The Pamunkey Tribe would retain 20% ownership in the new partnership.

Casino Name
The casino will no longer be named the HeadWaters Resort & Casino. It is now the Norfolk Casino. However, that name seems generic and may be temporary pending further development of the plan.

Transitional Casino
The city has opposed building a temporary casino before building a permanent None. The latest plan calls for a temporary casino to open within a year to meet the Nov. 5, 2025 deadline to get a casino license. Construction of the permanent casino will follow in a second phase which is targeted for completion in Sept. 2027.

Hotel Change
The new plan will downsize the hotel size from 300 rooms to 200 rooms. The change is based on market analysis and will reduce construction costs.

Opening Dates
The temporary casino will open next year before Nov. 5 deadline. The permanent Norfolk casino and hotel will open in September 2027.

Next Step
The Norfolk City Council will meet tomorrow night at 6 pm to decide the next steps in the future of the Norfolk Casino.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino | New Partner! New Plans!

September 4, 2024

A shocking change in the stalled Norfolk casino project may be emerging. The Norfolk City Council will meet on Sept. 10 to vote on replacing the current casino developer, Golden Eagle Consulting, with Boyd Gaming Corp., a multi-billion-dollar Las Vegas casino company.

[No Ads]

Norfolk casino has new development partner - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Sep 3, 2024. Available from YouTube

Boyd Gaming is seeking to buy out Golden Eagle's interest in the Norfolk casino to become the casino's only partner with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe.

The Boyd and the Pamunkey issued this short statement:

"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, Pamunkey Tribe

The original plan by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe to build the HeadWaters Resort & Casino on the Elizabeth River next to Harbor Park was approved by Norfolk voters in 2020. Since then, there has been little progress towards city approval for construction. If a casino license is not approved by the deadline date of Nov. 5, 2025, the Norfolk casino project will return to the people for a new vote.

To meet the deadline, Boyd is proposing building a "transitional" casino with construction beginning next February. That casino would be operational before the Nov. 2025 deadline.

Further details are expected to be released next week when the Norfolk City Council meets.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino no longer named 'Headwaters Resort & Casino'

August 20, 2024

Did the Norfolk casino project just drop its Headwaters Resort & Casino name? It certainly appeared that way during Monday's meeting of the Norfolk Architectural Review Board meeting and the casino's design company.

[No Ads]

Is 'Headwaters' name out for Norfolk casino? - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Aug 19, 2024. Available from YouTube

During the meeting, HKS architectural firm presented new design details and renderings for the long-delayed casino project planned at the Elizabeth River next to Harbor Park. No where in the presentation was the name "HeadWaters Resort & Casino". That name was replaced on every slide and casino rendering with the name "Norfolk Casino". {See renderings}.

Board member Greg Rutledge asked if the HeadWaters name was dropped, and an architectural representative said "it may be". The name is being reevaluated by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe.

The Architectural Review Board has scheduled a follow-up meeting with the tribe and the design company for the first week of September.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino | New Plans in Review

August 19, 2024

Norfolk's Architectural Review Board (ARB) met today to review revised plans for building the HeadWaters Resort & Casino on city-owned land adjacent to Harbor Park. The HKS architectural firm presented the board with design changes and with drawings for the project. (See new renderings.)

There were two major changes from the plans:

• Single Construction Phase
  The original plan to build the HeadWaters Resort & Casino had two phases. The first phase would build the casino and parking. The second phase would build the hotel. The plan has been revised and will now build the entire project in one phase.

• Downsized Hotel
  The original plan for a hotel has been downsized from 300 to 200 rooms. To reduce costs, the rooftop pool will be replaced with an outdoor pool and bar. The hotel will now be five stories with 200 rooms, a spa and fitness center. The parking garage has also been downsized from 1,200 spaces to 935 spaces.

If the Norfolk Architectural Review Board approves the new casino plans, they will be sent to the Norfolk City Council for review. The plans must be approved by the City Council before the land can be sold to the casino and construction crews can break ground on the $750 million casino resort.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino Project Releases New Design Renderings

August 16, 2024

The Norfolk casino project has returned from its near-dead and almost-forgotten self with a new release of artist renderings to be presented to the Norfolk Architectural Review Board on Monday.

[No Ads]

Updated renderings again released for Norfolk casino - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Aug 15, 2024. Available from YouTube

Last April, the long-delayed Norfolk casino project prompted some city officials to question whether it is time to move on with a new casino developer.

Since that time the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and its financial backer Golden Eagle Consulting LLC have been revising the casino project, which had been presented to the city last December, to satisfy the requirements of the Architectural Review Board.

The Norfolk casino plan must pass the Architectural Review Board and be approved by the Norfolk City Council before the city will sell the land for the casino and hotel at the Elizabeth River site next to Harbor Park.

New details about the casino are expected to be unveiled at the board meeting on Monday. The timeline will also need to be addressed since the casino has a deadline for obtaining a gaming license by November 2025.

The Norfolk casino project began five years ago when the Pamunkey Indian Tribe proposed building a $750 million commercial casino and hotel on a on 13.4- acres of city land along the Elizabeth River next to Harbor Park.

Norfolk voters approved the casino in November 2020 setting a five-year deadline for opening. If more time is needed for construction, State lawmakers may be able to extend the deadline, or another referendum may also extend the date.

See Renderings

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino's Future? | April 2024 Update

April 6, 2024

As delay after delay continues with the Headwaters Resort and Casino project, is it finally time for Norfolk city officials to move on to a new casino developer? It has been over three years since the Pamunkey Indian Tribe signed a development agreement with the City of Norfolk to build a $500M casino and hotel next to Harbor Park, and nothing has happened. Plans are not finalized, and construction has not started.

[No Advertisements]

City officials on the casino's future - Courtesy of 13News Now, Apr 4, 2024. Available from YouTube

The Norfolk casino referendum was approved by voters in Nov. 2020 with a five-year deadline for completion. If HeadWaters Resort & Casino does not open by November 2025, another voter referendum is required. To meet the deadline, construction of the HeadWaters Casino must start this Spring.

Norfolk City Attorney Bernard Pishko said this week:

"We're working with the casino developer and will have a casino with them, and if they don't perform, we will have somebody take their place.

"We're starting to get ready in the event that they run out of time."

- Bernard Pishko, Norfolk City Attorney

Pishko said Norfolk officials are worried about the lack of progress with the casino, and are considering contingency plans. So far there have been no talks with other ccasino developers.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Play Hot Drop Jackpots!
Hourly Daily Super Jackpots
Jackpots 24/7, 1 every hour, 1 every day, and 1 before the pot hits $250K! Learn more!

Norfolk's HeadWaters Casino Delayed Again

January 27, 2024

The developers of the HeadWaters Resort & Casino project met again with the Norfolk Architectural Review Board last week to review the final building plans for the casino hotel project. And once again the developers for the Pamunkey Indian Tribe requested a delay of the review to allow additional time to complete design changes requested by the board. A rescheduled meeting date was not set.

[No Ads]

Meeting on Norfolk casino future postponed again - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Jan 22, 2024. Available from YouTube

The design delay results partially from the Coastal Storm Risk Management Project which will protect Norfolk for storm damage and rising sea levels. The project requires a 17-foot-high floodwall be built along eight miles of the north shore of the Elizabeth River. This has created design changes for the casino. The marina plan has been scrapped, the casino has been repositioned, and the landscaping has been redesigned.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk's HeadWaters Casino Delays Final Design

January 11, 2024

In a scheduled meeting Monday with the Norfolk Architectural Review Board, the developers of the HeadWaters Resort & Casino project asked for a delay in presenting their final construction design for review. The Board agreed to reschedule the presentation into its January 22 meeting.

Approval of the final plans by the Architectural Review Board is a prerequisite for construction. The City of Norfolk is selling 13.5 acres of waterfront property to the Pamunkey Indian Tribe as for the building site of the HeadWaters Resort & Casino.

Building plans for the Norfolk casino have changed many times since voters approve the project in 2020. The legal deadline for construction to be completed and the casino to be operational is November 2025.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk's Headwaters Casino submits new development plan

December 20, 2023

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe submitted a revised plan to the Norfolk City Council this week for the development of the HeadWaters Resort and Casino. The documentation included an application for a final site plan approval and an application for a Development Certificate.

[No Ads]

Va. governor says Norfolk seawall project money contingent on city casino opening - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Dec 20, 2023. Available from YouTube

The major changes in this construction plan compared to previous versions include:

1. Construction will be continuous rather than in two phases separated by a time gap.

2. A partial casino will open during construction before the casino and hotel are finished.

3. HeadWaters will have a smaller footprint with no waterfront on the Elizabeth River and no marina.

The plan will be reviewed by the Norfolk Architecture Review Board on Jan. 8, 2024. The City Planning Commission will review the plan in late January. In February, the City Council will hold meet and vote on the plan.

If the plan is approved, construction of the HeadWaters Resort & Casino could begin in Spring 2024. The deadline for completion is November 2025.

"Our continuous construction is in response to the city wanting to see what the entire project [looks like] and getting the whole thing built as quickly as possible.

"We need to start construction in spring of '24 to meet our statutory requirement of opening game operations by November 2025."

- Jay Smith, HeadWaters spokesperson

The HeadWaters casino will initially open with 800-1,000 slot machines and 20-25 table games. When the casino is totally finished, there will be 2,000 slot machines and 50 table games.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

New Site Plan for Norfolk Casino

November 3, 2023

Officials of HeadWaters Resort & Casino have submitted a preliminary site plan to the City of Norfolk as the next step in the casino application process. The plan was submitted October 20th following months of meetings between the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and city officials. It details the casino site layout, site elevations, drainage, utilities, and road improvements.

[No Ads]

Developers of Norfolk's future HeadWaters Resort & Casino outline next steps in application process - Courtesy of 13News Now, Nov 1 2023. Available from YouTube

A HeadWaters Casino spokesperson explained:

"We submitted our preliminary site plan application, and that really sets in motion the next step which is for our development certificate application and final site plan application to be submitted to the city in early December."

- - Jay Smith, HeadWaters Resort & Casino

Robert Gray, Chief of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, issued this statement:

"Our team has been meeting routinely with city staff to review the project plans and discuss the development timeline. We want to get this project up and running as soon as possible to start generating revenue for our tribe, for the other recognized Virginia tribes that will benefit from this project, and for the City of Norfolk, its citizens and the Commonwealth of Virginia."

The Pamunkey Tribe will file an application for final site plan approval along with an application for a Development Certificate by Dec. 11, 2023. The Norfolk Architectural Review Board is expected to review the plans in early January. The Planning Commission would follow with their review in late January. The City Council would then hold hearings in February and vote on whether to approve.

If approved, the HeadWaters Resort & Casino would proceed with the groundbreaking and construction in 2024.

"The first phase would include casino floor, a restaurant, parking structure, and some back-of-house operations. That would open in 2025. Immediately after that, we would work on phase 2, which would be the hotel tower, additional restaurants, more casino space."

- Jay Smith, HeadWaters Resort & Casino

When built, the HeadWaters Resort & Casino will be a $750 million casino hotel on the Elizabeth River next to Harbor Park. HeadWaters will feature 3,000 slot machines, 50 table games, and a 200-room hotel.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino's revised timeline outlined by City Manager

September 15, 2023

When will construction finally begin on the HeadWaters Resort and Casino in Norfolk. The casino plan that was presented by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe to the city in July was rejected by city leaders.

[No Ads]

City manager outlines new timeline for Norfolk casino - Courtesy of 13News Now, Sep 13, 2023. Available from YouTube

That project status was addressed this week by Norfolk's new City Manager Patrick Roberts.

"It really depends on their approach to the site, how they modify the placement of the buildings. That typically takes anywhere from six to nine months to go through the design, development, and reviews. So potentially within the next year, we could see quite a bit of construction."

- Patrick Roberts, Norfolk City Manager

This November 3rd will mark three years since Norfolk voters approved the HeadWaters Resort and Casino project.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino Project is Stalled!

July 26, 2023

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe, along with their development partners, met Tuesday with Norfolk officials to discuss the status of the HeadWaters Resort and Casino project. The meeting was held behind closed doors following the Tribe's withdrawal of its latest casino plans and the cancellation of a scheduled meeting with the Norfolk Architecture Review Board.

Details of the Tuesday meeting were not disclosed; however, both sides described the meeting as productive, and both sides restated their commitment the project.

[No Ads]

Norfolk casino could be delayed once again - Courtesy of 13 News Now, Jul 24, 2023. Available from YouTube

A joint statement was released after Tuesday's meeting stating:

"Both sides remain fully committed to building a first-class destination resort and casino along the Elizabeth River and will work diligently together in the weeks ahead to lay out a plan and schedule to develop the project as quickly as possible."

Chief Robert Gray, Pamunkey Indian Tribe released this statement:

"The Tribe has not wavered in its commitment to deliver on our promise to the citizens of Norfolk - to construct a resort and casino of which the Tribe, the City and their citizens can be proud. The significance of this project to the region, the recognized tribes that will benefit from it and the entire Commonwealth cannot be overstated."

The City of Norwalk's official website lists the status of the HeadWaters Resort & Casino as "Indefinitely deferred by applicant" under the Architectural Review Meeting Agenda.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Pamunkey Tribe withdraws Norfolk casino plan!

July 25, 2023

In an unexpected move yesterday, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and their developer partners withdrew a building application from the Norfolk architectural review board. The latest plans for the Headwaters Resort and Casino were to be presented to the review board yesterday as a first step for a building certificate. A second meeting was scheduled for Thursday with the city planning commission.

Instead, the casino development team will meet privately with city officials today. It is unknown which city officials will attend and how this might impact the casino project. Both meetings will be rescheduled.

[No Ads]

Norfolk's HeadWaters Casino presentation delayed - Courtesy of 13News Now, Jul 24, 2023. Available from YouTube

According to a prior news release, casino officials said they received two letters from the city with contradictory guidance. The first letter was dated March 1, and the second letter was dated July 14. Casino officials said they sought the Tuesday meeting "to get clarity from the City on its proposed path to acquire the land and begin construction on the resort as soon as possible."

"Despite changes of direction and the City's desire to reduce the land we have available to build on, we intend to follow through on this pledge to build a $750 million resort and casino featuring a high end 200-room hotel and other amenities. We are looking forward to a fresh start with the new city manager and his team on Tuesday."

- Robert Gray, Pamunkey Chief

The latest proposal for the Headwaters Resort and Casino was released in June. Two previous plans to build a temporary casino were scrapped. The new plan will cost $750 million and be built in two phases. Phase one will build a casino with 3,000 slot machines, 150 table games, sports bar, restaurants, and 1,200-space parking structure. Phase two will add a hotel, pool, spa, and a 2,500-seat entertainment venue.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino's New Construction Plan Seeks Local Approvals

July 14, 2023

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe has submitted a development certificate application to Norfolk's Architectural Review Board with new construction plans for the HeadWaters Resort and Casino. Construction is expected to start in late 2023 pending approvals by the Architectural Review Board, the Planning Commission and the City Council.

[No Ads]

Approval process begins for HeadWaters Casino in Norfolk - Courtesy of 13News Now, Jul 11, 2023. Available from YouTube

Plans for a temporary casino have been dropped. Instead, the full casino-hotel project will be built in two phases.

Phase one will construct a 90,000 square-foot casino with a 45,000 square-foot gaming floor, 3,000 slot machines, 150 table games, a 4,500 square-foot sports bar and entertainment venue, restaurants, and 1,200-space parking structure.

Phase two will build the hotel, pool, spa, and a 2,500-seat entertainment venue. There is currently no schedule for phase two.

The Norfolk Architectural Review Board is expected to vote on the plans on July 27. If approved by the board, the project application will move to the Planning Commission. If the planning commission approves the plans, the City Council will make the final decision. Copnstruction would start soon afterwards.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino: Phase 1 Construction Plan

June 17, 2023

HeadWaters Resort & Casino has dropped its plan to build a temporary casino and will instead proceed with full construction of the HeadWaters Casino. When the casino opens, HeadWaters will have a two-year deadline to complete construction of its hotel and improve the amenities along the riverfront.

[No Ads]

Developers of Norfolk casino share changes behind the scenes - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Jun 14, 2023. Available from YouTube

The first phase of the new construction plan will build a 90,000 square-foot casino on the existing five-acre parking lot next to Norfolk's Harbor Park. The casino will include a 45,000 square-foot gaming floor with 3,000 slot machines, 150 table games, restaurants, and a 4,500 square-foot sports bar and entertainment venue. There will be parking for 1,000 vehicles.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino Project is Moving Forward

June 16, 2023

After extended delays over several years, the HeadWaters Resort & Casino development project has filed a formal development certification application with the City of Norfolk. The action comes a year after the casino originally planned to open.

[No Ads]

Developer plans to move forward with Norfolk casino - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Jun 14, 2023. Available from YouTube

The application defines the initial phase of development. The project will build a 90,000 square-foot casino and peripheral structure that will include a 45,000 square-foot gaming floor, restaurants, sports bar and entertainment venue. A second phase will add a 200-room hotel.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk's Headwaters Casino: Construction Update - March 2023

March 24, 2023

Construction has not started on either the HeadWaters Resort & Casino or its temporary casino, and there is still no construction equipment on the site. According to Jay Smith, spokesman for the casino, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe hopes to reach an agreement with the city on the land sale within the next few weeks, and start construction soon afterwards.

When construction starts, the temporary casino will be could be operating within 6 months. The permanent casino and hotel will take 18-24 months to complete.

The Tribe has not released updated information about the temporary casino since the location was changed last year from inside the baseball stadium to the parking lot of the casino.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino: Construction Status - Jan. 2023

January 5, 2023

What's happening with Norfolk's Headwaters Casino project? Construction has not yet started on either a temporary or permanent casino. There is still no construction equipment on the 14-acre building site for the Headwaters Resort Casino. What is the latest information?

[No Ads]

What's happening with Norfolk's casino proposal?
Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Dec 22 2022. Available from YouTube

In a WAVY TV 10 interview with Norfolk's City Manager Larry "Chip" Filer, Filer said the city is hopeful to see progress in the very near future. Norfolk is waiting for the final site plans for the casino. When those plans are approved by the Virginia Lottery Board, the city will transfer the 14-acre casino land to the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. The Tribe has been paying $100,000/year for the option to purchase the land.

Some progress was made last week. Norfolk officials and the Tribe reached a temporary lease agreement for the parking lot at Harbor Park baseball stadium for the purpose of staging construction equipment and materials needed to build the temporary casino and the permanent Headwaters Resort Casino.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino: History of its Tribal Owners

November 22, 2022

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe is building the $750 million HeadWaters Resort & Casino next to Harbor Park in Norfolk, VA. Who is this tribe and what is its history? This video will answer some of these questions.

[No Ads]

History of the tribe behind Norfolk's first casino
Courtesy of WTKR News 3, Nov 16, 2022. Available from YouTube

The Pamunkey Tribe is formally recognized by the federal government and the Virginia government. The Pamunkey reservation is located on ancestral land along the Pamunkey River. The Pamunkey are one of eleven tribes with homelands in Virginia.

For more information about the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, visit their website.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk considers new plan for temporary HeadWaters casino

September 11, 2022

The Pamunkey Tribe wants approval to build a temporary casino in 2023. The casino will operate while construction is underway at the HeadWaters Resort & Casino, which is expected to open by November 2024.

The proposed location is in the parking lot between the Harbor Park baseball stadium and the Amtrak station. See the site map.

The Norfolk temporary casino would replace more than 300parking spaces with a 35-foot tall, single-story building. The total size would be 45,000 square feet and include a casino, a restaurant and a bar. The type and number of gaming machines has not been disclosed.

Final approval for the plan must come from the City Council after the building permits are approved.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk's temporary casino location is scrapped

July 24, 2022

The Pamunkey Tribe plan to operate a temporary casino during the two-year construction of the HeadWaters Resort & Casino. However, the initial plan to locate the temporary gaming operation inside the ballpark at Harbor Park has been scrapped due to a street address requirement.

Virginia allows the five casinos designated by the 2019 gambling law to operate temporary casinos during construction of a permanent casino. The law further specifies that both the temporary and the permanent casino must have the same address.

The address of the future HeadWaters Resort & Casino will be 200 Park Ave. The address of the Harbor Park baseball stadium is 150 Park Ave. Thus, the plan has been revised to now build the interim casino on the 13.4-acre site of the HeadWaters Casino.

A construction site plan will soon be completed and submitted to the Norfolk City Council. If approved by the council, HeadWaters will begin construction of the temporary casino. Completion is forecast for March 2023.

Further details about gaming and amenities of the temporary gaming facility have not been released to the public as of this date.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Harbor Park Stadium address is changed for temporary casino

June 25, 2022

Norfolk city officials have changed the address of Harbor Park to allow for a temporary casino to operate inside the stadium during the two-year construction of the HeadWaters Resort & Casino.

The address change appears to accommodate specific language in the 2020 casino referendum passed by Norfolk voters. The referendum authorizes casino gambling at a site "with an approximate street address of 200 Park Avenue."

The HeadWaters temporary casino will operate inside the Harbor Park Stadium, where the old address has been 150 Park Avenue since the stadium opened in 1993. City officials claim the address change is a "boundary adjustment" common in redevelopment project, and deny it is a specific remedy for the temporary casino.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk temporary casino OK'd by city planning commission

June 1, 2022

The Norfolk Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit last week for a temporary casino to operate at Harbor Park during the two-year construction of the HeadWaters Resort & Casino. The request was submitted by the Pamunkey Tribe, which wants to to set up the casino inside a vacant Hits at the Park restaurant and Whitaker Boxing and Fitness Center at the stadium.

[No Ads]

Developers plan to turn part of Norfolk Tides stadium into gambling casino - Courtesy of 13News Now, May 27, 2022. Available from YouTube

The casino plan will now be reviewed and voted on by the Norfolk City Council. If approved, the Virginia Lottery could grant final approval in its July 20 meeting.

The temporary casino will operate 24/7 until the HeadWaters Resort & Casino opens in 2024. The temporary casino will feature 625 slot machines, electronic table games and a sports bar and grill. Upon final approval from the Virginia Lottery, the construction of the temporary casino is expected to take six months.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino Construction Update (May 2022)

May 3, 2022

Construction has not yet started on the HeadWaters Resort & Casino in Norfolk, VA. There are two reasons for this: The Virginia Lottery Board has yet to issue a casino license for the project, and secondly, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are each studying the building site to issue developers permits approve construction.

A formal groundbreaking for the HeadWaters Resort & Casino is expected sometime this summer city officials. Full construction is expected to begin soon afterwards. Construction will take up to 24 months to complete. A temporary casino is expected to open in 2022 and operate to the end of the construction period.

[No Ads]

Update on Norfolk's casino plans - Courtesy of 13News Now, Mar 4, 2022. Available from YouTube

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Virginia Casino Licensing Begins
In April the Virginia Lottery Board granted the first casino license to Hard Rock Bristol. The board continues to review the applications for Norfolk, along with Danville and Portsmouth, and the next casino license(s) are expected to be announced soon.

Norfolk Casino Taxes will Rebuild Schools
In April Norfolk City officials announced a major plan rebuild five city schools over ten years using tax revenue from the new HeadWaters Resort & Casino.

Lawsuit Over Norfolk Casino Rights is Dismissed
In April a Richmond judge dismissed a lawsuit filed against the City of Norfolk for awarding the Norfolk casino rights to the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. The suit was brought by Cordish Companies, which claimed the company had first rights to a Norfolk casino per a 2013 contract with the City.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk temporary casino is proposed for Harbor Park

April 2, 2022

The Pamunkey Tribe is asking the Norfolk City Council for permission to operate a temporary casino at Harbor Park during the two-year construction of the HeadWaters Resort and Casino.

Harbor Park is Triple-A baseball stadium located adjacent to the future site of the Headwaters casino project, and has been closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The stadium contains the Norfolk Boxing Center and the Hits at the Park restaurant.

The Pamunkey Tribe would like to use both the boxing center and the restaurant to operate a temporary slots casino on the right side of the stadium.

The Norfolk City Planning Commission is scheduled to take up the Pamunkey's request in its April 28 meeting

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk Casino is seeking a temporary location

March 6, 2022

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe is seeking a location for a temporary casino to operate during the construction of the HeadWaters Resort & Casino next door to Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. State legislation authorizes a temporary operating license if the location is in the "footprint where the casino will be located."

Two possible locations inside the baseball park are under consideration, and each would meet the criteria. One candidate is the Norfolk Boxing + Fitness Center and the other is the Hits at the Park Restaurant. Both are on the first base side of the park.

[No Ads]

Current Harbor Park Boxing Center could host gambling while Norfolk Casino is under construction - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Mar 4, 2022. Available from YouTube

Norfolk Boxing + Fitness Center
This facility has been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. The owners insist on finding a new location before making the property available to the casino.

Hits at the Park Restaurant
This restaurant is only open during the Norfolk Tides games.

The temporary casino for the HeadWaters Resort & Casino would feature limited gaming, a restaurant and a lounge.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk casino development update - Feb 2022

February 26, 2022

Construction is expected to begin this summer on the HeadWaters Resort & Casino in Norfolk, Virginia. Last September the Pamunkey Tribe signed two construction companies to build the $750 million casino resort. This week the construction companies hosted a contractor and outreach event to find local contractors for the project.

[No Ads]

HeadWaters Resort & Casino Looks For Local Contractors to Help Build - Courtesy of 13 News Now, Feb 22, 2022. Available from YouTube

After the ground breaking this summer, construction of the HeadWaters Resort & Casino will take two years.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk casino contractors announced by Pamunkey Tribe

September 16, 2021

The Pamunkey Tribe has signed a pair of construction companies to build the tribe's HeadWaters Resort & Casino in Norfolk, Virginia. W.M. Jordan is a regional company from Newport News and Suffolk is a national company recognized for premier hotels.

The groundbreaking for the HeadWaters Resort & Casino project will come in the next few months. Construction will be completed in 2024.

The tribe requires the two construction companies, Jordan and Suffolk, to hire a large percentage of local and Black-owned subcontractors and suppliers as a condition of their contracts.

Pamunkey Chief Robert Gray said "Just as important as their commitment to quality work, they are equally committed to providing opportunities for small and minority-owned subcontractors and suppliers to play a significant role in this project."

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

HeadWaters Resort & Casino releases new design renderings

April 27, 2021

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe issued a major update to its HeadWaters Resort & Casino plans this week. New artist renderings of the design were released along with updates on facilities and the timeframe.

[No Ads]

New renderings released of the Norfolk casino - Courtesy of 13News Now, Apr 21, 2021. Available from YouTube

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

2020 Election: Norfolk voters approve Pamunkey Tribe's Resort & Casino plan

November 6, 2020

On Tuesday the voters in Norfolk approved a plan by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe to build a $500M resort & casino on the Elizabeth River waterfront near Harbor Park. The project includes a casino, an entertainment venue, restaurants, and a 200-room hotel with spa and pool.

[No Ads]

Pamunkey Indian Tribe stands by economic projections for Norfolk casino - Courtesy of WAVY TV 10, Nov. 5, 2020. Available from YouTube

Chief of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, Robert Gray, expressed the gratitude of his tribe:

"We are moved beyond words by the tremendous display of support we've received from the Norfolk community. To everyone who advocated on our behalf, shared our message with their friends and neighbors, put up a yard sign, wore a sticker or simply voted YES, we cannot thank you enough. We look forward to working with you to make Norfolk even stronger for decades to come."

The next steps will be finalizing a casino license and securing the neccessary building permits. The groundbreaking is expected in the spring of 2021, and construction is expected to be completed by late 2022 or early 2023.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Pamunkey Tribe selects development team for Norfolk casino

October 21, 2020

[No Ads]

Pamunkey Tribe announces architecture hires for Norfolk casino - Courtesy of , Oct 16, 2020. Available from YouTube

Last week the Pamunkey Tribe announced the hiring of a two-company development team for their proposed HeadWaters Resort & Casino. HKS Architects is an international design company known for AT&T Stadium in Dallas and the MGM National Harbor Casino. Baskervill is a Richmond-based company that provides construction, engineering and design.

Pamunkey Chief Robert Gray issued this statement:

"These two companies bring the creativity, industry expertise, experience and drive to ensure that this facility will exceed the highest expectations set by the Tribe and the City of Norfolk for this project."

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Play Hot Drop Jackpots!
Hourly Daily Super Jackpots
Jackpots 24/7, 1 every hour, 1 every day, and 1 before the pot hits $250K! Learn more!

Pamunkey Tribe makes final push for Norfolk casino

October 20, 2020

As the Nov. 3 election nears the Pamunkey Indian Tribe is making a final push for voter approval to build a casino near Harbor Park. The casino is supported by the Yes Norfolk Committee and a handful of state officials. The casino is opposed by the Norfolk Referendum Committee.

[No Ads]

Final push on casino proposal in Norfolk - Courtesy of WTKR News 3, Oct 16, 2020. Available from YouTube

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

HeadWaters Resort & Casino voter campaign is launched

September 7, 2020

The "All In Norfolk" campaign to gather voter support for the HeadWaters Resort & Casino is officially underway. The Norfolk casino requires voter approval in the Nov. 3, 2020 election to authorize construction planned for a 13.4-acre site east of the Harbor Park baseball stadium.

The measure is supported by Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, Virginia Delegate Jay Jones, Norfolk City Council, "All In for Norfolk Casino Committee" and the "Yes Norfolk PAC". The Pamunkey Tribe has contributed over $210,000 to the last two group to promote advertising campaigns for voter support.

If approved by voters, the Pamunkey will construct a casino hotel complex with 3,000 slot machines, 150 table games, restaurants, an entertainment venue and a 200-room hotel with spa.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Play Hot Drop Jackpots!
Hourly Daily Super Jackpots
Jackpots 24/7, 1 every hour, 1 every day, and 1 before the pot hits $250K! Learn more!

Pamunkey tribe and Norfolk sign casino agreements

January 16, 2020

[No Ads]

Video courtesy of 13 ABC NEWS NOW

The Pamunkey Tribe and the City of Norfolk signed two agreements Monday that advance the tribe's plan to build a $700 million casino on the Elizabeth River.

The first agreement was an option for the Pamunkey Tribe to buy 13.4 acres of city property next to Harbor Park for $750,000 per acre ($10+ million total). The option is subject to the state approval of a casino license for the site. The option expires after three years but can be extended twice for one year.

The second agreement was a development agreement to regulate the construction and use of the property in compliance with state and local building codes.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Norfolk approves land sale for Pamunkey Tribe Casino

September 27, 2019

The Norfolk City Council held a public hearing Tuesday before voting 7-1 to approve a land sale and intergovernmental agreement with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. The agreement is a major step forward for the Tribe's plan to build a $700 million riverfront casino and hotel in Norfolk.

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe is proposing to build a casino with 3,500 to 4,500 slot machines and up to 225 table games, a 750-seat entertainment venue, 3-5 restaurants, a hotel and spa, and a waterfront promenade.

The sale agreement for 13 acres of city-owned land to the Pamunkey Tribe is contingent upon the tribe getting final casino approval from either the state for a commercial casino or the federal govenment for an Indian gaming casino.

TERMS OF THE DEAL

1. Land Purchase

The City of Norfolk will sell 13.25 acres of land to the Pamunkey Tribe on a five-year option to buy. The Tribe will pay $100,000 per year for the option and $10 million to purchase the land if their casino application is successful. The current market value is $750,000 per acre.

2. Revenue Sharing Agreement

If the casino is approved under the U,S, Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, The Tribe will pay 4% of gambling revenues to the City of Norfolk. If the casino is licensed under Virginia law, the Tribe will be taxed per state law.

TIMEFRAME

The timeframe for opening a casino in Norfolk is likely 3-4 years away. The Virginia General Assembly is considering legislation that will mandate voter approval in five cities with proposed casinos. If passed in the next legislative session, these casino referendums would appear on the November 2021 ballot. If passed by the voters, construction of a commercial casino in Norfolk would start soon afterwards, and completion would be in 2022-2023.

If the Pamunkey Indian Tribe does not pursue a federally-approved tribal casino, the voter process would be bypassed. However, the federal process is lengthy and the timeframe is similar.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

First Virginia Casino could be in Norfolk

December 19, 2018

The Pamunkey Tribe has announced negotiations with the City of Norfolk to purchase 20 acres of riverfront property owned by the city for the purpose of building a $700 million casino and hotel. The site is near the Amtrak Station and Harbor Park stadium.

In March 2018, two years after the Pamunkey Indians were recognized by the federal government, the tribe announced plans to build a casino with hotel and spa somewhere in Eastern Virginia.

A month later the Pamunkeys announced the purchase of 610 acres in New Kent County as a potential building site for their casino project. The location is east of Richmond at the Exit 205 interchange on I-64. The tribe also said at the time it had not committed to build there and would continue to seek other opportunities including land in Richmond and its vicinity.

When the final decision is made about the casino location, the Pamunkeys will petition the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs to take that land into federal trust as part of their reservation land.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Play Hot Drop Jackpots!
Hourly Daily Super Jackpots
Jackpots 24/7, 1 every hour, 1 every day, and 1 before the pot hits $250K! Learn more!

Norfolk council votes unanimously to support Pamunkey Casino

January 29, 2019

[No Ads]

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe is proposing to build a $750 casino and hotel along the Elizabeth River in the City of Norfolk. Last night the city council cast a unanimous vote to support the project.

The Norfolk City Council passed a resolution asking the General Assembly to proceed with legislation that would lead to state-licensing of the Pamunkey casino as an alternative to the lengthy federal Indian gaming process.

The General Assembly is woking on a bill to authorize and regulate casino gambling. It will require an election referendum on the November ballot for Norfolk residents to agree or reject the Pamunkey casino.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Pamunkey Indian Tribe buys potential casino land in New Kent

April 21, 2018

A possible resort casino could be developed in New Kent County. The Pamunkey Indian Tribe purchased over 600 acres of land. The property is being considered for the casino project.

However, this is not the only potential location. Other areas in central and eastern Virginia are being considered.

Plans were previously announced for the tribe's desire to develop a casino resort. Acquiring land is one of the main tasks that the tribe has undertaken in order to make progress on their casino plans.

Located off of Interstate 64 and the Bottoms Bridge-Quinton exit, the property makes up four parcels. An LLC bought the land for $3.05 million according to tax records from the county. The mailing address matches the same as a video game operator with a state approved license, named B&B Amusement of Illinois. The company operates over 60 venues.

The tribe wants to build a gaming facility with a hotel, entertainment venue, and spa. The estimated cost to complete the project will be $700 million.

Full time positions would be available for 4,000 people. Payroll would equal around $200 million. The state could earn an estimated $1 billion from gaming revenue taxes.

Both the state and the local community where the project would be built would benefit in the revenue sharing.

The tribe would also like to be able to provide rural Virginia with broadband. They also would like to fund housing for seniors.

Middle Peninsula Planning District Council may also be involved. Joining with the council may allow for the project to qualify for federal grants. That could be used to help create jobs and improve infrastructure.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

March 16, 2018

Virginia Tribe planning $700 million casino resort

Plans for a proposed Pamunkey Indian Tribe owned casino have been announced. If approved it will be built in the eastern section of Virginia and 4,000 full time jobs would be created. It would cost an estimated $700 million.

There would be casino games. There will also be a hotel, spa, and entertainment.

Construction would create between 3,000 and 5,000 jobs.

Annual payroll would equal $200 million. Companies that supply support services and other indirect companies could have a $1 billion impact for the state.

The casino will not be located on the tribe's King William County reservation.

They are interested in a partnership with a community to build their project. The site for the proposed casino to be developed is still being determined. Property being considered must be able to accommodate a large number of visitors. As well as access to utilities like water and sewer. Until these things are settled, a timeline for construction can not be announced.

The community that is selected for the proposed casino would enter into an agreement that would allow for sharing the casino revenues. The state would also receive a portion.

An investment group is currently in negotiations with the tribe to help develop the project. Details on the investment company have not been released.

Financing for the project also needs to be secured.

The National Indian Gaming Commission would oversee the casino's gaming operations. One of the purposed for the commission is to ensure that the games are ran fairly. It also monitors the agreements made between the tribe and the casino management company.

Dependent on current state laws, the casino could be allowed to operate slot machines and table games. However, the choice of games must be approved by the commission and the negotiated on for the gaming compact.

Back    Full Page > Norfolk Casino

Renderings of Norfolk Casino

Released August 15, 2024

Norfolk Casino 2027 - Rendering Released Aug. 15, 2024

Norfolk Casino 2027 - Rendering Released Aug. 15, 2024

Norfolk Casino 2027 - Rendering Released Aug. 15, 2024

Norfolk Casino 2027 - Rendering Released Aug. 15, 2024

Norfolk Casino 2027 - Rendering Released Aug. 15, 2024

Norfolk Casino 2027 - Rendering Released Aug. 15, 2024

Norfolk Casino 2027 - Rendering Released Aug. 15, 2024

Norfolk Casino 2027 - Rendering Released Aug. 15, 2024

Norfolk Casino 2027 - Rendering Released Aug. 15, 2024

Sitemap released August 19, 2024

Back

News Headlines Continued

2024

Norfolk casino will celebrate groundbreaking on Oct. 30 October 16, 2024 - Yesterday, the Pamunkey Tribe and its new partner, Boyd Gaming, announced the groundbreaking date for the Norfolk casino will be Wednesday, October 30 at 11 AM. ... Read more Norfolk Casino plan heads for final approval September 27, 2024 - Norfolk's Planning Commission has approved the Norfolk casino development plan as proposed by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and its new partner, Boyd Gaming ... Read more Norfolk Casino moves forward with Architectural Review Board approval September 25, 2024 - The latest plans for building the Norfolk casino project were approved by the Architectural Review Board on Monday by a 6-1 vote ... Read more Norfolk Casino | September 2024 Updates September 18, 2024 - Additional information about the new Norfolk Casino agreement with the City of Norfolk was disclosed yesterday. The topics include Amtrack support, the city land sale for the casino ... Read more Norfolk Casino | Next Step September 9, 2024 - The Norfolk City Council will meet tomorrow evening to decide whether to accept the latest casino plan from the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Boyd Gaming Corp. The city council's decision includes selling ... Read more Norfolk Casino no longer named 'Headwaters Resort & Casino' August 20, 2024 - Did the Norfolk casino project just drop its Headwaters Resort & Casino name? It certainly appeared that way during Monday's meeting of the Norfolk Architectural ... Read more Norfolk Casino | New Plans in Review August 19, 2024 - Norfolk's Architectural Review Board (ARB) met today to review revised plans for building the HeadWaters Resort & Casino on city-owned land adjacent to Harbor Park ... Read more Norfolk Casino Project Releases New Design Renderings August 16, 2024 - The Norfolk casino project has returned from its near-dead and almost-forgotten self with a new release of artist renderings to be presented to the city ARB ... Read more Norfolk's HeadWaters Casino Delayed Again January 27, 2024 - The developers of the HeadWaters Resort & Casino project met again with the Norfolk Architectural Review Board last week to review the final building plans for the casino hotel project ... Read more Norfolk's HeadWaters Casino Delays Final Design January 11, 2024 - In a scheduled meeting Monday with the Norfolk Architectural Review Board, the developers of the HeadWaters Resort & Casino project asked for a delay in presenting their final ... Read more

2023

Norfolk's Headwaters Casino submits new development plan December 20, 2023 - The Pamunkey Indian Tribe submitted a revised plan to the Norfolk City Council this week for the development of the HeadWaters Resort and Casino ... Read more New Site Plan for Norfolk Casino November 3, 2023 - Officials of HeadWaters Resort & Casino have submitted a preliminary site plan to the City of Norfolk as the next step in the casino application process. The plan was submitted October 20th following ... Read more Norfolk Casino's revised timeline outlined by City Manager September 15, 2023 - When will construction finally begin on the HeadWaters Resort and Casino in Norfolk. The casino plan that was presented by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe to the city in July ... Read more Norfolk Casino Project is Stalled! July 26, 2023 - The Pamunkey Indian Tribe, along with their development partners, met Tuesday with Norfolk officials to discuss the status of the HeadWaters Resort and Casino project following the Tribe's withdrawal of plans ... Read more Pamunkey Tribe withdraws Norfolk casino plan! July 25, 2023 - In an unexpected move yesterday, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and their developer partners withdrew a building application from the Norfolk architectural review board. ... Read more Norfolk Casino's New Construction Plan Seeks Local Approvals July 14, 2023 - The Pamunkey Indian Tribe has submitted a development certificate application to Norfolk's Architectural Review Board with new construction plans for the HeadWaters Casino ... Read more Norfolk Casino: Phase 1 Construction Plan June 19, 2023 - HeadWaters Resort & Casino has dropped its plan to build a temporary casino and will instead proceed with full construction of the HeadWaters Casino. When the casino opens, there will be a two-year deadline ... Read more Norfolk Casino Project is Moving Forward June 17, 2023 - After extended delays over several years, the HeadWaters Resort & Casino development project has filed a formal development certification application with the City of Norfolk. The action comes a year after ... Read more Norfolk's Headwaters Casino: Construction Update - March 2023 March 24, 2023 - Construction has not started on either the HeadWaters Resort & Casino or its temporary casino, and there is still no construction equipment on the site. According to a casino spokesman ... Read more Norfolk Casino: Construction Status - Jan. 2023 January 5, 2023 - What's happening with Norfolk's Headwaters Casino project? Construction has not started on either a temporary or permanent casino. There is still no construction equipment on the building site ... Read more

2022

Norfolk Casino: History of its Tribal Owners November 22, 2022 - The Pamunkey Indian Tribe is building the $750 million HeadWaters Resort & Casino next to Harbor Park in Norfolk, VA. Who is this tribe and what is its history? This video will answer some of these ... Read more Norfolk considers new plan for temporary HeadWaters casino September 11, 2022 - The Pamunkey Tribe wants approval to build a temporary casino to operate within six months while construction is underway at the HeadWaters Resort & Casino. The HeadWaters casino ... Read more Norfolk's temporary casino location is scrapped July 24, 2022 - The Pamunkey Tribe will not proceed with the initial plan to operate a temporary casino inside the ballpark at Harbor Park during construction of the Norfolk Resort & Casino because the street address is ... Read more Norfolk temporary casino OK'd by city planning commission June 1, 2022 - The Norfolk Planning Commission approved plans last week for a temporary casino to operate at Harbor Park during the two-year construction of the HeadWaters Casino ... Read more Norfolk Casino Construction Update (May 2022) May 3, 2022 - Construction has not yet started on the HeadWaters Resort & Casino in Norfolk, VA. There are two reasons for this: The Virginia Lottery Board has yet to issue a casino license for the project, and secondly ... Read more Norfolk temporary casino is proposed for Harbor Park April 2, 2022 - The Pamunkey Tribe is asking the Norfolk City Council for permission to operate a temporary casino at Harbor Park during the two-year construction of the HeadWaters Resort and Casino. ... Read more Planned Headwaters Resort Casino in Norfolk, VA releases new renderings March 7, 2022 - These new renderings for the HeadWaters Resort & Casino in Norfolk, Virginia were released to the public on March 4, 2022 by the City. ... Read more Norfolk Harbor Park Stadium address is changed for temporary casino June 25, 2022 - Norfolk city officials have changed the address of Harbor Park to allow for a temporary casino to operate inside the stadium during the two-year construction of the HeadWaters Casino ... Read more Norfolk Casino is seeking a temporary location March 6, 2022 - The Pamunkey Indian Tribe is seeking a location for a temporary casino to operate during the construction of the HeadWaters Resort & Casino next door to Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. ... Read more Norfolk casino development update - Feb 2022 February 26, 2022 - Construction is expected to begin this summer on the HeadWaters Resort & Casino in Norfolk, Virginia. This week a contractor and outreach event was held to find local contractors for the project. ... Read more

2021

Norfolk casino contractors announced by Pamunkey Tribe September 16, 2021 - The Pamunkey Tribe has signed a pair of construction companies to build the tribe's HeadWaters Resort & Casino in Norfolk, Virginia. The groundbreaking is expected later this year ... Read more When will Virginia Casinos Open? May 29, 2021 - Virginia General Assembly approved legislation in 2019 for five cities to accept or reject a state-licensed casino. Here is the casino status for each of these five cities and the steps needed to complete construction and open the doors ... Read more HeadWaters Resort & Casino releases new design renderings April 27, 2021 - The Pamunkey Indian Tribe issued a major update to its HeadWaters Resort & Casino plans this week. New artist renderings of the design were released along with updates on facilities ... Read more Virginia Lottery Board approves state casino regulations February 13, 2021 - Last week the Virginia State Lottery Board approved its initial set of casino regulations to govern state-approved casino gambling operations. The provisions include slot machine payout percentages ... Read more

2020

Timeline for opening new Virginia Casinos November 29, 2020 - he Virginia Lottery Board has begun the long process towards licensing and opening the first Vegas-style casinos in Virgnia after voters in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Portsmouth approved casino referendums ... Read more 2020 Election: Norfolk voters approve Pamunkey Tribe casino plan November 6, 2020 - On Tuesday the voters in Norfolk approved a plan by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe to build a $500M resort & casino on the Elizabeth River waterfront near Harbor Park. ... Read more Pamunkey Tribe selects development team for Norfolk casino October 21, 2020 - Last week the Pamunkey Tribe announced the hiring of a two-company development team for their proposed HeadWaters Resort & Casino. HKS Architects designed AT&T Stadium Dallas ... Read more Pamunkey Tribe makes final push for Norfolk casino October 20, 2020 - As the Nov. 3 election nears the Pamunkey Indian Tribe is making a final push for voter approval to build a casino near Harbor Park. The casino is supported by the Yes Norfolk Committee ... Read more HeadWaters Resort & Casino voter campaign is launched September 7, 2020 - The "All In Norfolk" campaign to gather voter support for the HeadWaters Resort & Casino is officially underway. The Norfolk casino requires voter approval in the Nov. 3, 2020 election for construction ... Read more Pamunkey Indian Tribe proposes $350M Richmond casino resort January 23, 2020 - The Pamunkey tribe have announced plans to build a $350 million Indian gaming casino in South Richmond. The project includes a 275-room hotel, spa, pool and fitness center ... Read more Pamunkey tribe and Norfolk sign casino agreements January 16, 2020 - The Pamunkey Tribe and the City of Norfolk signed two agreements advance the tribe's plan to build a $700 million casino on the Elizabeth River. ... Read more

2019

Norfolk approves land sale for Pamunkey Tribe Casino September 27, 2019 - The Norfolk City Council approved a land sale agreement with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe for 13 acres of city-owned land along the Elizabeth River to build a proposed $700M casino and hotel. ... Read more Norfolk council votes unanimously to support Pamunkey Casino January 29, 2019 - Last night the City Council of Norfolk passed a unanimous resolution to support the $750 casino and hotel proposed by the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. ... Read more First VA Casino Bill Passes Senate Committee January 21, 2019 - The Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology take the first major step towards legalization of casino gambling in Virginia by passing Senate Bill 1126. ... Read more

2018

First Virginia Casino could be in Norfolk December 19, 2018 - The Pamunkey Tribe are negotiating with the City of Norfolk to purchase 20 acres of riverfront property owned by the city for the purpose of building a $700 million casino and hotel. ... Read more Pamunkey Indian Tribe buys potential casino land in New Kent April 21, 2018 - The Pamunkey Indian Tribe has purchased 610 acres of land in New Kent for the possible building of Virginia's first casino. ... Read more Virginia Tribe planning $700 million casino resort
March 16, 2018 - The Pamunkey Indian Tribe may build the first casino in Virginia if their plans for a $700 million casino and hotel are successful. ... Read more