Published on: December 3, 2025, 07:48h.
Updated on: December 3, 2025, 07:48h.
- Virginia plans to revisit legislation for casino designation in Fairfax County
- The majority of residents oppose the gaming initiative
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is finding it challenging to achieve a consensus on ongoing discussions about a casino in Tysons or potentially another northern Virginia suburban location.
In Virginia, casino operations are currently restricted to cities designated by law. Right now, only Portsmouth, Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, and Petersburg are permitted to have establishments featuring slot machines, live dealer games, and sports betting.
Senator David Marsden (D-Fairfax) has spearheaded attempts in the General Assembly to expand casino regulations to include Fairfax County. Marsden plans to renew efforts in 2026, likely targeting Tysons as the proposed site.
The Virginia Assembly’s long session for 2026 is set for an even-numbered year, running from January 14 to March 14.
Emerging Tax Considerations
Marsden emphasizes that the county requires new sources of tax revenue, as the pandemic has significantly altered work and living arrangements for many Fortune 500 firms in the area.
Moreover, Marsden views the region as losing its appeal to younger individuals moving to the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, contributing to the underwhelming ridership of the Washington Metro Silver Line.
“Fairfax County is becoming less attractive for young adults in their 20s and 30s. They are generally supportive of the casino proposal,” Marsden stated in May during an appearance on The Politics Hour.
Challenges for Casino Approval
A significant hurdle for Marsden in bringing a casino to Northern Virginia is the general opposition from residents to a Las Vegas-style establishment in Tysons or elsewhere in the area. Although some labor unions and trade groups back the initiative, no community or civic organization has openly supported gambling.
Opponents have consistently urged the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to more firmly articulate their opposition to Marsden’s proposals. Although the board has indicated a general opposition to casinos, they remain hesitant to formally include this opposition in their annual priorities presented to the General Assembly.
Every December, the board outlines its priorities for state delegates and senators. Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill) has suggested language aimed at encouraging state lawmakers to reject any proposals that would authorize a casino in Fairfax County.
Oppose any legislation in the General Assembly that allows for a casino in Fairfax County without a request from the Board of Supervisors… The establishment and siting of a casino is fundamentally a major land use decision; intervention by the General Assembly in Fairfax County’s land use processes would jeopardize decades of community consensus and economic prosperity,” proposed Alcorn’s wording states.
Additionally, other supervisors, including Chair Jeff McKay, believe that the casino discussion should take a backseat to more urgent matters confronting the county.
McKay contends that addressing the casino issue could detract from his assertion that the state has not adequately supported counties. Introducing the casino discourse in Richmond may lead some elected officials from other regions to back Marsden’s efforts to impose a casino on Fairfax County voters, rather than advocating for increased state funding for the county.