Fairfax Casino Bill Forwarded to Gov. Spanberger, Voter Control Restored
Posted on: March 15, 2026, 08:57h.
Last updated on: March 15, 2026, 08:57h.
Virginia lawmakers have authorized a sixth casino in the commonwealth, but voters in Fairfax County will have the ultimate say in whether the gaming license is granted.
On Saturday, the Virginia General Assembly found common ground on a bill to qualify a sixth eligible host locality for Las Vegas-like slot machines, live dealer table games, and sports betting. A second Senate Bill 756 compromise struck by the Joint Conference Committee removed an earlier provision that would have permitted a temporary casino nearly the size of MGM National Harbor to operate in Fairfax County before voters would be asked to support gambling through a local referendum.
The final compromise maintained that a casino in Northern Virginia can only operate on a 30-acre site near the Adaire residential high-rise in Tysons. The vacant lot is next to the Spring Hill Metro Station along Leesburg Pike in Vienna.
The Virginia House of Delegates passed the final compromise on Saturday with a 55-41 vote. The Senate later signed off on the bill 25-13.
People’s Power Restored
On Friday, the Joint Conference Committee included a provision that would have allowed a temporary casino measuring up to 150,000 square feet — only 9,000 square feet smaller than MGM National Harbor — to operate in Fairfax until the county asked voters if they endorse casino gaming.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is overwhelmingly opposed to the state’s crusade to force a casino on the county. Unlike the five other casino hosts in Virginia — Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, Petersburg, and Portsmouth — Fairfax has not sought a casino privilege.
SB756 champion Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax), the Senate Majority Leader, said the temporary casino component was to force the county to “cooperate” with the law and conduct a casino referendum, something the supervisors have hinted that they will not carry out.
The final SB756 compromise restores the requirement that county voters approve of a casino before any gaming can take place.
I’ve been engaged in discussions upon learning of surprise language out of the Virginia Senate conference report, attempting to force a casino in Tysons. Thankfully the entire Fairfax County House delegation saw right through this power grab and rejected the conference report,” said Jeff McKay, chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
“The House ultimately approved a bill that still raises serious concerns, but retains some local authority,” McKay continued. “I will continue to fight any and all efforts to jam a casino in Tysons.”
Comstock Opportunity
The property designated for a casino in Fairfax County, should county voters authorize it, is linked to regional real estate developer Comstock Companies. The properties at 8500 Leesburg Pike, 8546 Leesburg Pike, and 1570 Spring Hill Rd. are all owned by Tysons Development, LLC.
Tysons Development is a joint venture between Northern Virginia-based Clemente Development Co. and international partner Khaled Juffali Co. Christopher Clemente, the son of C. Daniel Clemente of Clemente Development, is the chief executive officer of Comstock.
Comstock has donated to Surovell and many other lawmakers’ election campaigns, who have since voted in favor of the Fairfax casino bill.
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