The Virginia Senate has approved a bill that could pave the way for a casino referendum in Tysons, sending the measure to the House of Delegates for further deliberation. The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 982, passed with a 24-16 vote, sparking debate among lawmakers and community members over its potential economic benefits and local opposition.

If both chambers of the General Assembly pass the bill and the governor signs it into law, Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors would be authorized to hold a public referendum on the construction of a casino in Tysons. The proposal has been driven in part by Comstock Holding Companies, a Reston-based developer, which has spent over $1.5 million since 2023 to support the initiative, according to Patch.

Sen. Scott Surovell, the bill’s chief sponsor, has emphasized the financial advantages a casino could bring to the state. “A Fairfax casino would generate $1.8 billion for the state if it did pretty much just as well as the MGM Casino across the river, which most people think it would,” Surovell stated during a recent Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee hearing. He also highlighted the potential benefits for Fairfax County, including additional tax revenue and economic development opportunities.

Despite these arguments, Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors has not expressed support for the measure. Board Chair Jeff McKay reiterated this stance in a letter to state lawmakers, stating that the county did not request the bill’s authority and expressing concerns over linking casino revenue to real estate tax relief. McKay also pointed to a state funding shortfall of over $568 million for K-12 education in Fairfax County, arguing that resolving this deficit would do more to lower real estate taxes than casino-generated revenue.

Opposition and Community Concerns

The casino proposal has met significant resistance from local officials and residents. Sen. Saddam Salim, who represents the area where the casino would be located, opposed the measure, citing strong community disapproval. “Over just the past two weeks, my office has received approximately 1,300 emails and calls on this issue—less than 0.008% of which were in support,” he said. Salim also criticized the bill for favoring a single developer and limiting competition.

Local advocacy groups have also voiced their opposition. The No Fairfax County Casino Coalition, along with National Security Leaders for Fairfax, has been actively lobbying against the proposal. Paula Martino, president of the Tysons Stakeholders Alliance, argued that the legislation is being forced upon the community without sufficient public backing. “This Tysons casino legislation continues to be rammed down the throats of Fairfax County and Tysons-area residents, and we don’t want it,” Martino stated according to Virginia Business.

A point of contention raised during Senate discussions was whether the bill’s language effectively preselected a developer. Sen. Jennifer Boysko questioned whether it would limit the Board of Supervisors to considering just one developer. Surovell responded by suggesting that at least one other property within Tysons could meet the bill’s criteria.

Next Steps for the Legislation

The bill’s advancement means it now heads to the House of Delegates, where lawmakers must decide its fate before the legislative crossover deadline. If approved, the casino referendum would allow Fairfax County voters to determine whether a gaming facility should be built in Tysons. However, with mounting public opposition and skepticism from local officials, the proposal faces considerable hurdles before it can become law.

Lawmakers have until Tuesday to finalize the bill before each chamber considers the other’s legislation. The Virginia General Assembly is set to adjourn on February 22, leaving limited time for deliberation on this contentious issue.