Virginia legislators are gearing up for a renewed debate on the expansion of casinos, as Sen. Scott Surovell intends to reintroduce a bill permitting a casino in Tysons, even as Fairfax County officials continue to express strong opposition to the proposal.

<p><strong>Surovell, a Democrat who serves Fairfax County, announced plans to introduce the legislation during the General Assembly session commencing on January 14.</strong> He argues that a casino in Tysons could significantly bolster local revenues. <strong>“Fairfax County is grappling with a $130 million budget shortfall, and the forecast looks bleak,”</strong> he emphasized. <strong>“They frequently request additional authority to increase revenue, and this could be a major opportunity.”</strong></p>

<p><strong>However, Fairfax County supervisors voted 5-4 against endorsing any casino-related legislation on Tuesday.</strong> The board has consistently resisted efforts to expedite casino authorization, and previous attempts to advance a casino proposal in Richmond failed. <strong>Supervisor Walter Alcorn warned that the initiative threatens to disrupt established local land-use planning. “The designation and placement of a casino is a significant land-use decision,</strong> and intervention by the General Assembly in Fairfax County’s land-use matters would compromise years of community consensus and economic stability,” he remarked.</p>

<p><strong>Del. Paul Krizek, chair of the Virginia ABC/Gaming House subcommittee, is advocating for separate legislation to establish a Virginia Gaming Commission,</strong> which would centralize supervision of the lottery, online gambling, and horse racing under one authority. <strong>“Virginia is experiencing various forms of gambling,</strong> yet we lack a singular regulatory entity,” Krizek noted in an interview with <em>WUSA9.</em></p>

<p><strong>“We need to consolidate everything under one oversight,</strong> which would not only lead to operational synergy but also potential cost savings for the general fund,” he added.</p>

<p><strong>Krizek has also expressed that a casino in Tysons may not be suitable for Fairfax County,</strong> suggesting that any expansion in this area ought to go through a voter referendum.</p>

<p><strong>In response, Surovell cautioned that he might oppose the establishment of a Gaming Commission if it allows other casinos to secure licenses ahead of Fairfax County’s application.</strong> “If the Gaming Commission leads to other casinos locking in their licenses before the one benefiting my constituents can negotiate, I will not support it,” he stated.</p>

<p><strong>Currently, Virginia boasts five operational casinos, with two of them located in temporary facilities.</strong> Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin attempted to set up a Gaming Commission last year, but it was removed from the budget proposal. The newly elected Governor, Abigail Spanberger, has yet to weigh in on this matter.</p>