The Virginia House of Delegates has passed a bill allowing for a casino in Fairfax County. This legislation may soon be presented to Gov. Abigail Spanberger after reconciling differences with the Senate’s version of the bill.
On Wednesday, the House voted 64-32 in favor of SB 756, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell. Following a reconsideration request, delegates reapproved the bill with a 59-37 vote and one abstention.
The Senate subsequently voted unanimously to dismiss the House’s version, as the two chambers passed conflicting versions of the legislation. A committee consisting of three members from each chamber will convene to resolve the differences before sending a final bill to the governor.
Casino Gaming Eligibility
If the bill becomes law, Fairfax County will join Norfolk, Petersburg, Bristol, Portsmouth, and Danville as approved jurisdictions for casino operations in Virginia.
In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly legalized casino gaming. The initial legislation included Richmond, but it was removed in 2024 in favor of Petersburg following voter rejection of two casino proposals.
Development Requirements and Voting Process
SB 756 stipulates that any casino in Fairfax County must be integrated into a mixed-use development of at least 1.5 million square feet. Proposed restrictions that limited possible sites to Tysons were eliminated during Senate discussions.
The county will select a preferred operator for the casino. Following this selection, preliminary approval from the Virginia Lottery, which regulates gambling in the state, will be required.
Once approved, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will organize a referendum to determine if casino gaming should be permitted at the suggested location. The legislation mandates a successful referendum by July 1, 2029.
House Modifications and Committee Revisions
Delegate Paul Krizek proposed amendments concerning labor agreements, the allocation of gaming taxes, and licensing conditions for the casino operator. His suggestions included mandatory union contracts for construction and hospitality staff, a licensing fee of $150 million, and the necessity of voter approval from the district where the casino will be situated, alongside a countywide majority.
The House Appropriations Committee eliminated most of these provisions and advanced a substitute on February 27 that was more aligned with the Senate’s bill.
This substitute maintained the requirement for agreements between the local government and the casino operator to be public. It also obligated the future developer to contribute toward construction, funding, or land for a nearby public safety facility.
Del. Rodney Willett (D-58) urged colleagues to discard Krizek’s substitute and approve the appropriations committee’s version. The House adopted the amended bill without further debate.
Community Response and Revenue Projections
Economic projections for a Fairfax County casino vary significantly. A 2019 study commissioned by the General Assembly estimated an additional $155 million in statewide gaming tax revenue from a Northern Virginia casino. The analysis suggested the project could attract out-of-state visitors and recapture $100 million currently spent by Virginians at casinos in Maryland.
A draft analysis from last year by a consultant for Fairfax County projected $29.1 million in annual tax revenues for the county and $53 million for the Commonwealth.
The Tysons Stakeholders Alliance has expressed ongoing opposition to the legislation.
“We are disappointed by the outcome and that our representatives were not permitted to express their dissent regarding this bill on the House floor,” said Paula Martino, president of the Tysons Stakeholders Alliance. “However, we extend our gratitude to the Fairfax County delegates who voted against this bill in support of their constituents.”
Interest in a casino for Fairfax County first surfaced in January 2023 when Sen. David Marsden (D-35) and Del. Wren Williams (R-47) introduced identical bills, which were later withdrawn.
Marsden reintroduced another bill during the 2024 session that restricted potential locations to Tysons. This measure ultimately stalled in the Senate Appropriations Committee.