Virginia lawmakers have passed a bill enabling Fairfax County residents to cast ballots on whether a casino should open in Tysons.
Debates over the legislation’s final wording stretched late into Friday evening, and both chambers ultimately approved SB756 on Saturday. The bill now awaits Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s signature.
Originally, the bill included a provision for a temporary Tysons casino to launch without voter consent, but the House eliminated this before passing the updated version by a 55-41 vote. The Senate then approved the revised bill 25-13 and forwarded it to the governor.
Power Grab Almost Forced Casino
Fairfax County Board Chair Jeff McKay stated that casino-related interests nearly pushed through a bill that would have excluded residents and local officials from the decision-making process.
Developer Comstock Holdings has spent over $3.5 million on lobbying efforts to gain approval for the project. McKay noted that this funding prompted lawmakers to try revising Virginia’s laws.
As reported by Patch, McKay commented: “Let me be clear: this language was crafted by pro-casino supporters in the General Assembly — spearheaded by Fairfax’s own Senator Surovell. This was done behind the public’s back and would have forced a casino onto Fairfax County and its residents.”
The version of the bill discussed on Friday night would have permitted a temporary casino to run for up to five years, provided it received approval from the state’s Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission.
“Thankfully, the entire Fairfax County House delegation saw this power grab for what it was and rejected the conference report,” McKay stated.
The Board remains split on the idea of a casino in Tysons; in December, it voted 5-4 against the proposal. McKay added that the approved bill “still brings up major concerns, but preserves some local control.”
Residents Oppose Casino
Comstock still faces a significant hurdle: securing voter approval for the development, which would be Virginia’s sixth casino. The final bill removed the July 1, 2029, deadline for the referendum, giving the company more time to campaign for backing.
A poll last year found that 75% of Fairfax County residents are against plans for a casino, with opposition even stronger in the Tysons area.
Comstock claims the casino will bring prosperity to the region, creating over 5,000 jobs, but opponents remain skeptical. Ryan O’Toole, co-executive director of Freedom Virginia, said the poll shows residents “reject the argument that a casino will boost the local economy or lower their taxes.”
The main concerns center on the disruption a casino would cause. Nearly nine in 10 voters (88%) believe casinos worsen traffic congestion in surrounding neighborhoods, while 76% say Virginians already have enough gaming options.
Virginia opened its fifth casino in January, featuring a temporary Live! Casino Virginia venue in Petersburg. The casino generated $4.7 million in revenue in its first 10 days. The full $1.4 billion hotel and casino complex is set to open in 2027.