A bill that could pave the way for a casino in Tysons has recently made significant progress in the Virginia Senate, despite considerable opposition from community members and local leaders. On Tuesday, the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee voted 9-6 in favor of pushing Senate Bill 982 forward, which would allow Fairfax County to conduct a voter referendum on permitting casino gaming within its boundaries. The legislation, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, aims to add Fairfax County to the list of Virginia localities permitted to host a casino, potentially positioning the establishment outside the I-495 Beltway, near a Metro Silver Line stop and within close proximity to a shopping center.
Advocates of the bill, including Surovell, emphasize the economic benefits a casino could bring to Northern Virginia. Citing a 2019 Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) report, Surovell noted that a casino in this area could generate approximately $155 million in annual gaming tax revenue. Moreover, proponents argue that a Tysons casino would help retain the money that Virginia residents currently spend at Maryland’s MGM National Harbor, thereby boosting the local economy. However, these financial prospects are not enough to sway the significant opposition from groups like the No Casino
Despite the allure of economic benefits, many local residents and officials remain unconvinced about the proposed casino. Paula Martino, head of the Tysons Stakeholders Alliance, underscored the lack of local support, pointing out that no community within Greater Tysons had requested a casino. She warned that elected leaders endorsing the plan might face repercussions at the polls. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay also expressed doubts about the casino’s potential to solve Tysons’ financial dilemmas, suggesting instead that reforming the state’s school funding mechanisms could more effectively address local educational budget issues.
Lobbying efforts play a pivotal role in the bill’s advancement, with significant championing from Comstock Hospitality Holdings, a subsidiary of Comstock Holding Companies. The company has poured over $600,000 into various political campaigns over the past two years. High-profile lawmakers, such as Surovell and Senator L. Louise Lucas, have received substantial donations from casino supporters. However, the bill faces opposition within the Senate itself. Senators Jennifer Boysko, Adam Ebbin, and Barbara Favola argue that Fairfax County never proactively sought a casino license, unlike other Virginia cities that did. Boysko stressed that county leaders had not actively pursued this venture
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