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Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed legislation on April 9 that would have forced Fairfax County to hold a public referendum on building a Las Vegas-style casino in Tysons. The decision ended a legislative battle that had persisted for four consecutive years at the General Assembly and exposed deep disagreements over land-use authority in Virginia’s wealthiest county.
Senate Bill 756 passed both chambers of the state legislature in March. Had it been signed, the casino and entertainment complex would have been built either near the Spring Hill Metro station or on the site currently used by Cirque du Soleil.
Spanberger’s veto, however, made clear that legislative approval in Richmond was insufficient. The question, she argued, was not simply whether Virginia wanted a casino in Tysons, but whether the state had the right to impose one on a community that had explicitly rejected the proposal.
Why the Fairfax casino bill failed
While bills to authorize a Tysons casino failed for three consecutive years, a new version was introduced in January 2026. The State Senate voted 25-13 and the House of Delegates 55-41 to pass the final version. However, only three of the 15 delegates representing Fairfax County voted in favor. That imbalance was central to Spanberger’s reasoning.
Governor Spanberger’s stance on local land-use authority
Spanberger’s veto rested on a firm principle: In Virginia, casino development has historically begun with a request from the local government. Every locality currently operating a casino sought state authorization on its own terms. Fairfax County did the opposite.
The governor noted that since the General Assembly first authorized casinos in 2020, all five cities where they now operate actively sought the authority to hold referendums. Under existing law, once a locality is declared eligible by the legislature, its governing board must petition a court to hold a referendum.
Applied to Fairfax County — where leaders had explicitly opposed the idea — Spanberger argued the state would be “commandeering” local decision-making. She warned that the legislation would set a precedent for forcing casino referendums on other unwilling localities.
She also raised concerns regarding oversight, noting that Virginia still lacks a statewide body to regulate all forms of gambling. The governor expressed hesitation about expanding gaming without an independent authority to oversee all legal gaming activity across the commonwealth.
A county united against the casino
Resistance in Fairfax County has intensified alongside Surovell’s repeated attempts to pass the bill. A poll conducted during the 2026 session found that 63% of Fairfax County voters opposed a casino anywhere in the county.
In December 2025, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 5-4 to formally oppose any effort to allow a casino within county lines unless the request originated from the board itself.
The No Fairfax Casino Coalition, comprising 40 homeowner, business, and community organizations, maintained the bill served the narrow interests of private entities. The most prominent developer behind the concept was Comstock Holding Companies, led by CEO Christopher Clemente.
Critics also challenged the economic necessity of the project. State Sen. Jennifer Boysko argued that Fairfax County’s economy is already robust and that further casino expansion would dilute revenue for existing venues. Tysons is home to four Fortune 500 headquarters, and one in every five jobs in the county is based there.
The competition with Maryland and what VA stands to lose
Surovell’s argument centered on Virginia’s competitive position against Maryland. MGM National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland, has long attracted Virginia residents.
The stakes increased with the announcement that The Sphere — the immersive entertainment arena first built in Las Vegas — is headed to MGM National Harbor rather than Northern Virginia. An Ernst & Young analysis cited by Surovell projects the venue will generate approximately $1.5 billion in annual economic activity for Maryland.
Following the veto, Surovell claimed a Tysons casino would generate more revenue than all other authorized Virginia casinos combined. He signaled that he would continue to pursue the project in future sessions.
What’s next for Virginia casino legislation?
For now, the veto appears to close the chapter. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay stated there are not enough votes on the current board to request casino development.
The No Fairfax Casino Coalition added that no independent evidence proved a casino would solve office vacancy issues or economic challenges. For the time being, the question of whether Fairfax County’s stance can survive future legislative fights remains unanswered.
