Fairfax Casino Bill Targeting Northern Virginia Clears First Legislative Hurdle

Posted on: January 22, 2025, 09:55h. 

Last updated on: January 22, 2025, 10:02h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Bipartisan legislation in Virginia seeking to allow voters in Fairfax County to determine whether a casino resort can come to Tysons has gained its first legislative backing of the 2025 session.

Fairfax casino bill Tysons resort
The Metro’s Silver Line stop in Tysons Corner near where a legislative push to allow a casino in Northern Virginia. This week, the so-called Fairfax Casino bill gained the support of a Senate subcommittee. (Image: The Washington Post)

On Tuesday, January 7, the first day of the Virginia General Assembly’s 2025 legislative session, Senate Bill 982 was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax). The legislation would allow Fairfax County to conduct a competitive bid for a possible gaming development in Tysons, with county voters having the final say through a local referendum.

Surovell was joined by Sens. Lamont Bagby (D-Henrico), Stella Pekarsky (D-Fairfax), and Todd Pillion (R-Washington) in filing SB982.

On Monday, SB982 secured the support of the Gaming Subcommittee of the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee with a 5-2 vote. The casino bill now goes to the full committee for consideration.

Casino Finds Allies

Though many other lawmakers representing Fairfax County and Northern Virginia have expressed hostility to allowing a Las Vegas resort to come to the region best known for being home to many Fortune 500 companies, the 2025 push is a bit different than efforts in 2023 and last year.

In 2023, Sen. David Marsden (D-Fairfax) filed a Tysons casino bill, but his secretive backroom dealings with regional real estate developer Comstock Companies prompted pushback from local government leaders who said they weren’t consulted on the legislation. Marsden yanked his Fairfax gaming bill nearly as soon as he filed it.

He returned in 2024 with a clone of the 2023 statute. But after Sen. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), a powerful longtime lawmaker who calls herself the “Casino Queen,” said a comprehensive study is needed to determine whether a casino resort in Tysons would be a net positive for the region and state, the Senate Finance & Appropriations Resources Subcommittee voted to carry over the bill to 2025.

This year, Surovell is taking over Marsden’s fight. The Senate leader has rallied support for the project from numerous labor unions and the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

How many times have you seen labor and the Chamber of Commerce stand in unity?” asked Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce President Julie Coons. “This is one of the ways we can bring more revenue into Fairfax without raising taxes.”

Marsden and Surovell both believe higher property tax rates on homeowners are coming in the years ahead as many of those Fortune 500 companies and the many other large employers in the area renegotiate their office leases. That could lead to dwindling assessments of the massive workplaces, therefore reducing the real estate tax benefit the county receives.

Casino Opponents Aplenty

Along with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, many homeowners’ associations, town councils, and citizens associations have publicly opposed efforts to allow slot machines, table games, and sports betting in Tysons. The No Fairfax Casino Coalition continues to grow in support, now with over 30 partners.

The grassroots coalition is supported by Sens. Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax) and Saddam Salim (D-Fairfax), Del. Irene Shin (D-Fairfax), Fairfax County Supervisors Jimmy Bierman and Walter Alcorn, Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert, and thousands of local residents.