Proposal for Headwaters Casino's New Location Put Forward
Rolling the Dice on a New Casino: The Pamunkey Tribe's Latest Proposal
The Pamunkey Tribe, known for their ambition to establish a casino in Norfolk, Virginia, has put forth a fresh idea for their temporary Headwaters Casino. Their latest suggestion? The Harbor Park parking lot. Initially, the tribe proposed building the casino within the stadium itself, but that idea was quickly nixed by city officials last year.
A Rejected Dream Turned New Proposal
Last summer, the Pamunkey Tribe sparked excitement with their proposal of a $500 million casino within Harbor Park stadium. The casino was set to house 150 table games, a 300-room hotel, and about 3000 slot machines. However, city officials shut down the idea, citing concerns that the construction wouldn't meet the city's specifications for new buildings.
Since then, the tribe has been brainstorming a new plan. Their latest offering? A half-a-billion-dollar casino nestled within the Harbor Park parking lot. The proposed area would cover approximately 45,000 square feet, equivalent to around 300 parking spaces. The tribe also wishes to construct a 35-foot interim casino, generating revenue until the full-scale establishment is built.
The Temporary Solution
This temporary facility, set to entertain gaming enthusiasts, will boast hundreds of gaming machines, a fully-stocked bar, and even a restaurant. Guests can indulge in a slots session, grab a drink, and dine, all within the interim casino.
The tribe has already presented this proposal to city officials and awaits their response. If approved, construction could be completed within six months. The temporary facility will operate until the permanent casino is ready, but a timeline for this has yet to be set. The tribe aims to get the ball rolling and have everything wrapped up by 2024.
Despite the focus on a temporary location, recent updates have not highlighted specific details about the temporary casino's association with Harbor Park or its exact location within the city. The project, initially known as the HeadWaters Resort & Casino, is moving forward with the Pamunkey Indian Tribe as a partner and Boyd Gaming as the operator. Construction for the permanent facility, valued at $750 million, began in February 2025, with an anticipated opening in late 2027. The future casino will offer 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, a 200-room hotel, and other amenities.
- The Pamunkey Tribe's latest proposal for their temporary Headwaters Casino involves the Harbor Park parking lot, featuring a temporary casino with hundreds of gaming machines, a bar, and a restaurant.
- The temporary casino, once built, will cater to gambling enthusiasts offering a variety of casino-games such as slots, along with dining and drinking facilities.
- In addition to the temporary casino, the Pamunkey Tribe plans to build a permanent casino, estimated to cost $750 million, offering 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, a hotel, and other amenities, that will be operated by Boyd Gaming.
- Las Vegas-style gambling trends, including slot machines and table games, are expected to be part of both the temporary and permanent casinos, aiming to contribute to the casino-culture and Pennsylvania's casino-and-gambling industry.
