Published on: March 15, 2026, 08:57h.
Updated on: March 15, 2026, 08:57h.
Legislators in Virginia have approved plans for a sixth casino within the state, but ultimate approval will rest with the voters of Fairfax County regarding the issuance of the gaming license.
On Saturday, Virginia’s General Assembly reached consensus on a bill allowing a sixth locality eligible for Las Vegas-style slot machines, live dealer table games, and sports betting. Additionally, a second compromise in Senate Bill 756, endorsed by the Joint Conference Committee, eliminated a prior provision that would allow a temporary casino nearly the scale of MGM National Harbor in Fairfax County, pending a local referendum on gambling approval.
The conclusive agreement stipulates that any Northern Virginia casino can only be established on a 30-acre site adjacent to the Adaire residential high-rise in Tysons, located next to the Spring Hill Metro Station along Leesburg Pike in Vienna.
The Virginia House of Delegates approved the finalized agreement with a vote tally of 55-41, followed by the Senate’s endorsement of the bill at 25-13.
Empowering the Community
On Friday, the Joint Conference Committee introduced a provision allowing a temporary casino of up to 150,000 square feet—only 9,000 square feet smaller than MGM National Harbor—to operate in Fairfax until residents could vote on casino gambling.
The Board of Supervisors in Fairfax County is largely against the state’s push to impose a casino within the county. Unlike the five other casino-hosting locations in Virginia—Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, Petersburg, and Portsmouth—Fairfax has not pursued the opportunity for a casino.
Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax), the Senate Majority Leader and advocate for SB756, noted that the temporary casino provision aimed to compel the county to engage in a casino referendum, an action the supervisors have indicated they may resist.
The definitive SB756 agreement reinstates the necessity for voter approval in the county before any casino activities can commence.
“Upon discovering unexpected changes in the Virginia Senate conference report concerning a casino in Tysons, I engaged in discussions to express our concerns. Fortunately, the entire Fairfax County House delegation recognized this as an overreach and dismissed the conference report,” remarked Jeff McKay, chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
“The House ultimately approved a bill that raises significant concerns but preserves some local governance,” added McKay. “I will persist in opposing any attempts to impose a casino in Tysons.”
Opportunity from Comstock
Should county residents vote in favor, the site earmarked for the casino in Fairfax County is associated with regional real estate developer Comstock Companies. The lands located at 8500 Leesburg Pike, 8546 Leesburg Pike, and 1570 Spring Hill Rd. are under ownership of Tysons Development, LLC.
Tysons Development is a collaboration between Clemente Development Co., based in Northern Virginia, and Khaled Juffali Co., an international entity. Christopher Clemente, son of C. Daniel Clemente from Clemente Development, serves as the CEO of Comstock.
Comstock has made contributions to the elections campaigns of Surovell and various other lawmakers who later supported the Fairfax casino proposal.