Published on: March 14, 2026, 09:21h.
Updated on: March 14, 2026, 09:21h.
- Virginia Senate greenlights Fairfax County casino agreement
- Agreement permits a temporary casino without local voter approval
- If local voters reject a permanent casino, the temporary facility will close
On Friday, Virginia’s Senate sanctioned legislation enabling slot machines, live dealer tables, and a sportsbook in Fairfax County without the necessity of local voter approval.
In a surprising compromise, legislators on the Joint Conference Committee included provisions absent in the Fairfax County casino bills previously passed by their chambers.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors indicated that state legislators were essentially squandering time deliberating bills to designate the county as a potential casino host, given the local government’s refusal to seek competitive bids or hold a local referendum, as has been done in the other five Virginia locations where casinos were authorized. Consequently, state officials have taken matters into their own hands, seemingly overriding the Fairfax leaders’ opposition to casinos.
The Joint Conference Committee’s amendment to Senate Bill 756 empowers Virginia’s Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission to authorize a temporary casino anywhere in Fairfax County prior to local voter input on a permanent casino via referendum. According to SB756’s sponsor Scott Surovell, the temporary casino initiative aims to incentivize the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to collaborate with state law.
The rationale is that if the county truly opposes gambling, then the local administration should solicit bids and present the issue to the electorate. Should the public reject the permanent casino proposal, the temporary establishment will cease operations.
Significant Temporary Casino
The Joint Conference Committee’s amendment swiftly secured full backing from the state Senate with a 22-16 vote. The proposal now requires approval from the House of Delegates before heading to Governor Abigail Spanberger (D) for final consideration.
The envisaged temporary casino is substantial, with the compromise statute capping the gaming area at 150,000 square feet. For context, MGM National Harbor in nearby Maryland features approximately 159,000 square feet of gaming space, including nearly 2,300 slot machines and 160 live dealer table games, alongside a BetMGM Sportsbook.
Additionally, the SB756 compromise reinstates site conditions limiting permanent casino development to land owned by Comstock Companies, a long-time proponent of the Fairfax casino initiative and significant contributor to lawmakers advocating for the gaming proposition. The statute now specifies that a permanent casino could only operate on a 30-acre site adjacent to the Adaire residential high-rise and Spring Hill Metro.
Widespread Opposition
Even though Surovell and his Fairfax counterpart Sen. David Marsden (D-Fairfax) endorsed the casino legislation, several local representatives opposed the initiative. Notable opposition came from Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax), who expressed on the Senate floor that local voters remain staunchly against introducing gambling into their community.
“We have all worked diligently to represent our communities. This community continuously contributes to the welfare of the commonwealth, yet they do not wish to see this change,” Boysko stated.
“This is not how we should approach public policy,” Boysko continued, urging her Senate colleagues to oppose the measure.