More than five years after voters originally approved gambling in the Hampton Roads community, the Norfolk casino has officially opened.

The Interim Gaming Hall is a modest casino located in Norfolk, which is well-known for housing the Navy Fleet Forces Command. Every day from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., the temporary gaming facility is open.

The Interim is a 7,200-square-foot pavilion tent situated on the northeastern corner of the Harbor Park Minor League Baseball stadium parking lot along Park Avenue. The temporary building is situated between the Harbor Park Tide Light Rail and Amtrak Norfolk stations.

“It’s finally here, let the games begin,” said Ron Bailey, the vice president and general manager of the Norfolk casino development. “Come see the latest and greatest slots product in the commonwealth.”

132 of the newest slot machines were available when the Interim debuted. Sports betting and table games are not included. The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore will get all of The Interim's earnings today.

The few amenities include a food truck named Ghost Kitchen and a self-service beer, wine, and alcoholic seltzer station. The alcohol machine uses facial recognition technology to ascertain an individual's age. Although ID checks at the front require each visitor to be over 21, guests can scan their identity if the computer is unable to qualify them.

 

Preregistration is recommended

The $750 million permanent Norfolk casino, which is being constructed next to The Interim, is being spearheaded by Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming. After purchasing millionaire Jon Yarbrough last year, Boyd became a partner and financier of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe's casino proposal, Norfolk's "exclusive gaming developer" for nearly ten years.

Boyd will oversee both the temporary and the upcoming permanent resort along the Elizabeth River, so they will be eligible for the Boyd Rewards offered by the casino corporation. First-time guests at The Interim are urged by casino management to register for Boyd Rewards online because in-person enrollment may take a while. Self-service kiosks allow you to print rewards cards.

For losses suffered on their first day of gaming at The Interim, Boyd is providing new Boyd Rewards members with a $300 compensation in Boyd Play.

 

Statutory Adherence

In 2020, Virginia passed legislation allowing casino gaming in specific cities. The bill mandated that casinos could only be approved in the cities that were specified, and that slot machines and table games would only be allowed in later local ballot referendums.

In November 2020, 65% of Norfolk voters supported their proposed casino.

If the authorized project doesn't open within five years of a court order announcing the election results, Virginia's gaming legislation mandates that host cities have "a subsequent local referendum." The state statute would have required a second municipal referendum if slots had not been turned on in Norfolk by November 15.

The 2020 law permits temporary casinos to function at the same physical location as the permanent casino under construction. Boyd anticipates the opening of its yet-to-be-named permanent resort casino in 2027.

200 hotel rooms, 1,500 slots, 50 table games, a sportsbook, 13K square feet of meeting space, a 45K-square-foot amenity deck and pool, and eight dining and drinking establishments are all part of the integrated resort. Additionally, Boyd is building a 1,000-space parking garage with slots reserved for Amtrak passengers.