OMAR AZIMI

Tysons will no longer be getting a casino in its vicinity after Governor Abigail Spanberger vetoed legislation that would have brought a Las Vegas-style casino to the area.

 

Although the legislation faced direct opposition from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Virginia lawmakers in Richmond revived Senate Bill (SB) 756, a bill that would allow a casino to be constructed in the Tysons area of the county. The bill had passed both the Virginia Senate as well as the House of Delegates.

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Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn, of the Hunter Mill District, was among the many local lawmakers who celebrated the legislation's veto. In a statement, Alcorn said, "We never wanted it and we never asked for it. Just having this in statute would chase away real economic development opportunities for Tysons, which is already the 12th largest business district in the country. Tysons’ future is now brighter than it was yesterday thanks to Governor Spanberger."

 

The bill, introduced by state Sen. Scott Surovell, would have limited the construction of a casino gaming establishment to be outside of I-495, within a quarter mile of a Metro Silver Line stop, and within two miles of an indoor mall approximately 1.5 million square feet in size. The bill would also require that the casino be part of a mixed-use development. The casino’s developer, Comstock Companies, proposed building the casino as part of an entertainment district near the Spring Hill Metro station, which would have included a hotel, apartments, a concert venue, retail shops and an IMAX movie theater.

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​In vetoing this legislation, Spanberger reiterated that the bill would set a precedent against local decision-making on gambling. “Local governing boards should lead on proposed casino development, as has happened in every locality that now has a casino,” said Spanberger in her press release on April 9th. “But in Fairfax County, the Board of Supervisors has explicitly opposed this legislation, and an overwhelming majority of the General Assembly members who represent  Fairfax voted against it.”

 

In addition to ensuring that counties maintain local control, Spanberger also called for the creation of a state gaming entity, adding, “A unified regulatory structure is essential to ensuring transparency, accountability, safety and public confidence.”

 

The debate over SB 756 highlighted a clash between local county officials and state lawmakers, and forced Fairfax County residents to confront a key question: Should decisions about land use in their communities be made in Richmond or locally?

 

News of a potential casino drew swift reactions from county lawmakers and resident groups, many of whom vehemently opposed such development and praised Spanberger for her veto.

 

In a December 2025 meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors had formally adopted an amendment drafted by Alcorn, that sought to oppose casino development in Tysons and Fairfax County. In his remarks to the board, Alcorn mentioned that a casino would threaten the area’s economic health and said at the time, "General Assembly intervention in Fairfax County’s land-use processes would undermine decades of community consensus and economic success in Tysons."

 

Opposition to the bill had also come from community groups such as the No Fairfax Casino Coalition which has, since the bill’s introduction, consistently brought up their concerns about the casino regarding local authority and community impacts. One member of the coalition, Chuck Anderson, argued that a casino would bring negative impacts such as potential overcrowding, increased crime, and declining property values.

 

"The negative consequences far exceed any tax benefits," said Anderson.

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The coalition celebrated the veto, stating on their website, "This is a win for our neighborhoods, our shared vision, and the future of our community...when we stand together, we can shape the decisions that impact us all."

 

Despite opposition, organizations such as the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce had gone on record in favor of casino development in Fairfax County, citing the potential economic benefits to the county. Julie Coons, the chamber’s president and CEO, said, “A development of this nature would diversify and broaden tax revenue for Fairfax County.”

 

State Sens. David Marsden and Surovell were contacted for comment on this story, but did not respond.