Casino Legislation Advances
A new bill that could facilitate a casino in Fairfax County is on its way to Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, who now has the option to approve, modify, or reject it.
House of Delegates Vote
The Virginia House of Delegates approved SB 756, proposed by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, with a 62-32 vote. This marks a significant advancement for the legislative initiative, which has seen growing support and vocal opposition from residents and elected officials in recent years.
Fairfax County’s Casino Eligibility
If Spanberger signs the bill into law, Fairfax County will join a list of localities in Virginia—including Norfolk, Petersburg, Bristol, Portsmouth, and Danville—that are eligible to host a casino.
Background on Casino Gaming Legislation
The General Assembly authorized casino gaming in 2020, with Richmond initially included in the eligible locations. However, Richmond was removed from the list in 2024 after voters rejected two referendums aimed at allowing a casino.
Bill Specifications and Operator Selection
Surovell’s legislation requires that a casino in Fairfax County be part of a larger mixed-use development of at least 1.5 million square feet. While plans to restrict potential locations to Tysons were removed during legislative discussions, a preferred operator will still be chosen by Fairfax County. Following initial approval from the Virginia Lottery, a referendum will determine if casino gaming will be allowed at the proposed site.
Amendments and Concerns
In response to the concerns raised by the Board of Supervisors, Del. Paul Krizek proposed several amendments, including higher licensing fees and stipulations regarding union contracts and tax revenue distribution. Most of these amendments were removed by the House Appropriations Committee, which advanced a substitute version of the bill closely resembling the one that passed the Senate. The substitute bill maintains certain requirements for public safety funding and sets a deadline of July 1, 2029, for a successful referendum.
Previous Efforts and Legislative History
Interest in establishing a casino in Fairfax County began in January 2023 with the introduction of similar bills by state Sen. David Marsden and Del. Wren Williams. Although those bills were quickly withdrawn, Marsden later introduced a more focused piece of legislation that faced delays. Surovell has taken the lead on the current bill, successfully navigating it through the legislative processes despite previous rejections.
Other Legislative Developments
During the same session, the House of Delegates also passed a bill for internet gaming by a 70-29 margin. Meanwhile, a companion bill, sponsored by Del. Marcus Simon, secured approval from the state Senate. Krizek’s proposal for a statewide gaming commission is still under consideration by the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.
