The Norfolk casino project received overwhelming approval from city officials, with 7 votes in favor and only 1 vote against. This long-awaited decision finally allows the local casino project, proposed by Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, to move forward after being stuck in limbo for four years.

The recent Norfolk City Council meeting saw the approval of an ordinance granting a development certificate for the construction of the casino, located at 200 Park Avenue near the MLB stadium. The construction is estimated to cost around $500 million and is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the area through tax revenue and job creation.

Despite facing numerous regulatory and legal obstacles, including recent anti-flood measures along the Elizabeth River, Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Tribe have persevered in pushing the project forward. This approval by the council marks a major milestone in the development process, but the developers still need to secure building permits before construction can begin.

The support for the Norfolk casino project among locals was evident in the 2020 vote, where 65% of voters expressed their approval. With neighboring Portsmouth’s Rivers Casino already generating tax revenue for over a year and a half, councilors were keen on moving the project along to ensure Virginia does not miss out on valuable tax benefits.

In the words of a city official, “This project has been a long time coming, and we are thrilled to see it finally gaining momentum. The economic impact of the casino will be significant for Norfolk and the surrounding areas.”

One councilor who voted against the project expressed concerns about the potential negative effects of gambling on the community, but ultimately, the majority of councilors agreed that the benefits of the project outweighed any drawbacks.

As the developers now focus on obtaining necessary building permits, the local community awaits the completion of the casino project and the promised economic boost it will bring.