Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell has introduced a bill seeking to add Fairfax County to the list of Virginia locations eligible to host a casino
A contentious bill that could open the door to a casino in Tysons has gained steam in the Virginia Senate even as local residents and community leaders oppose it. On Tuesday, the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee voted 9-6 to push Senate Bill 982 forward. This bill would give Fairfax County the green light to hold a voter referendum on whether to allow casino gaming within its boundaries.
Tysons Casino Plan Faces Opposition Despite Promised Economic Boost
The bill put forward by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell aims to include Fairfax County in the group of Virginia areas that can have a casino, reported the Fairfax Times. The planned casino would go up outside the I-495 Beltway close to a Metro Silver Line stop, and within two miles of a shopping center. Those in favor say this project would bring in millions in taxes and create thousands of jobs.
Surovell highlighted the financial potential referencing a 2019 Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) report that estimated a Northern Virginia casino could generate $155 million in yearly gaming tax income. He noted that Virginians now spend a lot of cash at Maryland’s MGM National Harbor, and a casino in Tysons would help keep that money in the state.
Even with the money on offer many locals and officials still do not want the casino. Groups like the No Casino Coalition and the Tysons Stakeholders Alliance are speaking up about their worries. A recent survey by the alliance showed that 64% of people likely to vote are against the project. This number jumps to 79% for those living in Tysons.
Critics Warn Fairfax Casino Push Ignores Community Concerns
Paula Martino, who heads the Tysons Stakeholders Alliance, slammed the lack of local backing. She pointed out that no community in Greater Tysons had asked for the casino. She cautioned that elected officials supporting the plan might see a fallout when people vote.
Jeff McKay, who heads the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, doubted if a casino could solve Tysons’ financial problems. He noted that while many offices sit empty, the best business spots near Metro stations still do well. McKay said fixing how the state funds schools would work better to help the county’s school budget shortage.
The bill’s progress has seen a strong push from lobbyists. Comstock Hospitality Holdings part of Comstock Holding Companies, has put its weight behind the casino. It has given more than $600,000 to different political campaigns in the last two years. Lawmakers like Surovell and Senator L. Louise Lucas have gotten big donations from those who support the casino.
Some lawmakers do not agree with the bill. Senators Jennifer Boysko, Adam Ebbin, and Barbara Favola are against it. They say Fairfax County never asked for permission to have a casino. Boysko pointed out that, unlike other Virginia cities that wanted casino licenses, Fairfax County’s leaders have not tried to get one.
Senate Bill 982 will go to the full Senate next, with a vote scheduled for January 31. If it passes, the House of Delegates will consider it before it reaches Governor Glenn Youngkin. Even if lawmakers approve the bill, Fairfax County residents would get to make the final decision through a referendum.
