The Virginia House of Delegates has approved legislation that would allow a casino in Fairfax County. The bill could soon reach the desk of Gov. Abigail Spanberger once differences are reconciled with the Senate’s version of the proposal.
The House approved SB 756, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, by a 64–32 vote on Wednesday. A request later prompted reconsideration of the vote. Delegates then passed the bill again by a 59–37 margin with one abstention.
The Senate later voted unanimously to reject the House version. The chambers passed different versions of the legislation. Three members from each chamber will meet in conference to reconcile the differences before sending a final bill to the governor.
Eligibility for casino gaming
If signed into law, Fairfax County would join Norfolk, Petersburg, Bristol, Portsmouth, and Danville on Virginia’s list of jurisdictions eligible to host a casino.
The Virginia General Assembly authorized casino gaming in 2020. The legislation initially included Richmond among the eligible localities. Richmond was removed in 2024 and replaced by Petersburg after voters rejected two referendums proposing a casino.
Development criteria and referendum process
SB 756 requires any casino in Fairfax County to be part of a mixed-use development totaling at least 1.5 million square feet. Earlier provisions that would have restricted potential locations to Tysons were removed during the Senate review.
Fairfax County would select a preferred operator for the casino project. The proposal would then require preliminary approval from the Virginia Lottery, which oversees gambling in the state.
Following that step, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors would call a referendum asking voters whether casino gaming should be permitted at the proposed site. The legislation sets a July 1, 2029, deadline for the county to hold a successful referendum.
House amendments and committee substitute
Del. Paul Krizek suggested amendments addressing labor agreements, gaming tax allocation, and licensing terms for the casino operator. His proposals included union contract requirements for construction and hospitality workers, a $150 million licensing fee, and a provision requiring approval from voters in the magisterial district where the casino would be located, in addition to a countywide majority.
The House Appropriations Committee removed most of those provisions and advanced a substitute on Feb. 27 that aligned more closely with the Senate bill.
The substitute retained requirements that agreements between the casino operator and the local government be publicly available. It also requires the future developer to provide construction, funding, or land for a nearby public safety facility.
Del. Rodney Willett (D-58) asked delegates to reject Krizek’s substitute and adopt the appropriations committee version. The House approved the amended bill without further discussion.
Revenue projections and community response
Economic projections for a Fairfax County casino vary. A 2019 study commissioned by the General Assembly projected $155 million in additional statewide gaming tax revenue from a Northern Virginia casino. The analysis estimated the project could attract out-of-state visitors and retain $100 million currently spent by Virginia residents at casinos in Maryland.
A draft study prepared last year by a consultant hired by Fairfax County estimated $29.1 million in annual tax revenue for the county and $53 million for the Commonwealth.
The Tysons Stakeholders Alliance said it plans to continue opposing the legislation.
“We’re disappointed with this result, and disappointed that our representatives weren’t allowed to voice their opposition to this bill on the House floor,” Tysons Stakeholders Alliance president Paula Martino said. “We do, however, want to extend our thanks to the Fairfax County delegates who stood with their constituents today by voting against this bill.”
Interest in a Fairfax County casino first emerged in January 2023 when Sen. David Marsden (D-35) and Del. Wren Williams (R-47) filed identical bills. The proposals were later withdrawn.
Marsden introduced another bill in the 2024 session that limited potential sites to Tysons. The measure stalled in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/03/05/117898-virginia-house-of-delegates-passes-bill-for-fairfax-county-casino-bill-awaits-senate-agreement
