Fairfax Casino Opposition Takes Campaign to Richmond, Lawmaker Defends Push

Posted on: January 16, 2025, 10:30h. 

Last updated on: January 16, 2025, 10:51h.

Opponents of bringing a casino to Northern Virginia’s Fairfax County took their campaign to the state capital this week where they expressed strong hostility to what the proposed developers say would be an economic driver.

Fairfax casino Virginia gambling law
Virginia Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D) speaks against a legislative effort to allow a casino in Fairfax County. Currently, there are no slot machines or table games in Northern Virginia. (Image: X)

The No Fairfax Casino Coalition is the leading adversary to Comstock Companies and Clemente Development’s hopes to construct a mixed-use development, which would include a casino and hotel on 35 acres of land in Tysons. For the second consecutive legislative year, legislation has been filed to qualify Fairfax County for a casino.

We are standing together to protect our community and ensure our voices are heard. The proposed casino threatens the fabric of our larger community,” declared Lynne Mulston, who leads the No Fairfax Casino Coalition.

The town hall opposing the Tysons casino push was supported and attended by state Sens. Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax, Loudoun) and Saddam Salim (D-Fairfax), Del. Irene Shin (D-Fairfax), Fairfax County Supervisors Jimmy Bierman and Walter Alcorn, and Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert. 

Strong Opposition

Along with many residents, the No Fairfax Casino Coalition has the support of nearly 30 homeowners associations, town councils, and citizens associations. They include the Fairfax Federation of Citizens Associations, Greater Tysons Citizens Coalition, McClean Citizens Association, and Vienna Town Council.

“We have tried to create a commercial area where we are attracting Fortune 500 companies. It’s where you want to locate your business. It’s where if you want to walk to work, you can do it. It’s where, if you live somewhere else, you hop on the Silver Line. The Tysons Strip, because that’s what we’re going to call it from now on, the Tysons Strip, just like the Las Vegas Strip, threatens that plan,” said Bierman.

Supporters say Fairfax needs new economic drivers, as much office space remains vacant after some of those Fortune 500 companies rethought their in-person work necessities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax), who is leading the 2025 legislation to bring a casino to Tysons, agrees with last year’s primary sponsor, Sen. David Marsden (D-Fairfax), that homeowners’ property taxes could further rise unless new tax streams are realized.

The casino, the project’s backers add, is only a minor component of what would be an entertainment and business destination with an array of nongaming attractions like a 6,000-seat performing arts theater, an abundance of restaurants and bars, and the county’s first major convention center.

Let Voters Decide 

Surovell’s Senate Bill 982 wouldn’t force gambling on Northern Virginia residents. The legislation would only allow the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to initiate a local ballot referendum asking voters if they support a casino development.

A lot of the opponents are basically saying that this bill authorizes a casino in the county — it doesn’t,” Surovell said. “All the bill does is authorize a process by which the voters could eventually approve one.”

Virginia lawmakers authorized casino gambling in certain cities in 2020. The initial law allowed Richmond, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Danville, and Bristol to consider casinos. All but Richmond ratified their gaming opportunity.

After Richmonders twice voted down a casino referendum, lawmakers last year passed legislation to qualify Petersburg for gaming. Voters there signed off on a casino last November.