The Virginia city inaugurates its temporary casino, but gaming options are limited
Norfolk’s long-awaited casino has finally opened its doors, five years after local voters approved the project. The new venue, called The Interim Gaming Hall, is a temporary facility located next to Harbor Park baseball stadium. It offers a modest start to casino gaming in the city, featuring 132 slot machines but no table games or sportsbook. The small venue operates daily from 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM, serving as a preview of the larger resort still under construction nearby.
The 7,200-square-foot pavilion sits along Park Avenue between the Amtrak Norfolk and Harbor Park Tide Light Rail stations. Inside, visitors can play the latest slot titles while enjoying limited amenities like a self-service beverage station that uses face-scanning technology to verify age and a food truck called Ghost Kitchen. Casino officials announced that all opening-day revenue would be donated to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, marking the start of operations with a charitable gesture.
Ron Bailey, vice president and general manager of the Norfolk casino project, said the opening represents a major milestone after years of planning delays. The permanent casino and hotel complex, currently under construction, is a $750 million project led by Boyd Gaming in partnership with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. Boyd took over as financier and development partner last year after acquiring stakes from previous investor Jon Yarbrough.
Visitors to The Interim are encouraged to preregister for Boyd Rewards, the casino’s loyalty program, to avoid long lines. Boyd is also offering a promotional rebate of up to $300 in Boyd Play for new members who experience losses during their first visit.
The permanent casino is expected to open in 2027 and will feature 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, a sportsbook, and a 200-room hotel overlooking the Elizabeth River. Virginia’s gaming laws required that Norfolk’s casino open within five years of voter approval, meaning the temporary launch came just in time to keep the project on track.
