Norfolk State University will offer Virginia’s first college course on gaming management this fall. The course, Introduction to Gaming Management, will be available entirely online through the Business School’s Tourism and Hospitality Management program.

The course will provide an overview of the gaming industry, touching on facets such as staffing, security, control, taxation, government regulations and its integration with hotel operations. Students will also delve into the social, economic and cultural impacts of gaming on communities.

“We created this course in 2021 in response to the planned Norfolk casino, and now that construction is underway just a stone’s throw from NSU’s campus, it’s the perfect time to offer it,” said professor Larry Epplein, the program’s advisor.

The course aligns with the growing interest in Virginia’s gaming landscape, especially as developments continue, including the ongoing construction of the casino in Norfolk. It will be offered in partnership with Boyd Gaming, the operator of the Norfolk casino, to highlight career opportunities within the expanding gaming industry.

"If the discipline proves popular, we aim to offer a multi-course certificate program and potentially a minor in gaming management through NSU’s School of Business,” added Moncef Belhadjali, associate dean.

While the course is an elective for NSU students, it also is open to the public.

The course comes as casino development continues to gain momentum across Virginia.

Petersburg recently secured approval for a casino development, while Richmond has seen multiple attempts to bring a casino to the city that have not materialized.