The Interim Gaming Hall Norfolk

History and Background

The Interim Gaming Hall Norfolk emerged from a five-year development process that began when Norfolk voters approved casino gaming in 2020. After extensive planning, regulatory approvals, and site preparation, the temporary casino opened on November 7, 2025, beside the permanent resort construction site adjacent to Harbor Park. The project is a joint venture between Boyd Gaming Corporation, which serves as the operator and project manager, and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. The interim facility was required by Virginia's casino legislation, which mandated that operators begin gaming operations within a set timeframe or risk losing their license. Engineering firm VHB assisted with fast-track permitting and flood certification to secure the gaming license and enable construction of the temporary hall in under one year.

Gaming and Amenities

The gaming floor houses approximately 130 to 132 slot machines arranged in rows across a single-level, climate-controlled tent structure. No table games are available at the interim hall; those are planned for the permanent resort. Food and beverage options are limited to a Ghost Kitchen food truck on-site and a ready-to-drink alcohol vending machine, the first such machine approved in Virginia. Guests can enroll in Boyd Gaming's Players Club, which offers rewards and promotional benefits that will carry over to the permanent resort. The facility operates daily from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Economic Impact and Future

In its first 23 days of operation, the interim hall generated gross gaming revenue of $1.4 million, contributing to statewide casino totals and providing immediate economic impact. The Norfolk Casino project donated its first gambling proceeds to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. The permanent resort, named HeadWaters Resort & Casino, broke ground in February 2025 and is scheduled for completion in late 2027. It will feature a 65,000-square-foot casino with 1,500 slot machines and 50 table games, a 200-room hotel, eight food and beverage outlets, live entertainment, and a 45,000-square-foot outdoor amenity deck. The interim hall will remain operational until the permanent resort opens, serving as a revenue source and a preview for future guests while creating jobs and tax revenue for Norfolk.

Leadership and Staffing

The interim hall is led by a local management team that reports to Boyd Gaming's corporate structure. In November 2025, Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Tribe hired six senior leaders to oversee regulatory compliance, finance, IT, security, surveillance, and cage and count operations. The facility is actively hiring for additional roles including security officers, cashiers, slot technicians, and IT positions. The total employee headcount has not been publicly disclosed, but the senior leadership team includes at least seven executives.