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The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has moved to oppose legislation that could enable a casino in Tysons. Supervisors reviewed new language for the 2026 legislative program, placing the county on record against such proposals. It marks the board’s first formal action on the issue since the project became public in January 2023.
Inside the 5–4 vote that divided Fairfax supervisors
On Dec. 9, the board approved an amendment introduced by Supervisor Walter Alcorn that outlines how Fairfax County should respond to any future casino bill. The amendment states that the county will oppose any state legislation allowing a casino in Fairfax if the board has not formally requested that authority. It also requires the creation of a statewide gaming commission before any plan can move forward and stipulates that Fairfax would support a proposal only if the revenue split clearly benefits county residents.
The amendment warns that selecting a casino site is a major land-use decision and that direct action by the General Assembly could weaken decades of local planning and community consensus about Tysons’ growth.
The measure passed on a narrow 5–4 vote, revealing deep divisions on the board. Supervisor Jimmy Bierman supported the amendment, citing strong opposition from residents in his district. Chair Jeff McKay agreed with several goals but questioned the timing, saying the late introduction could complicate the county’s advocacy in Richmond. Supervisor Andrés Jiménez and others warned that the debate was overshadowing issues that affect residents daily, such as transportation, health care and local services, and could strain relationships with state lawmakers.
Supervisors Alcorn, McKay, Lusk, Palchik and Bierman supported the amendment. Herrity, Jiménez, Storck and Smith opposed it. The Braddock District seat was vacant during the vote.
McKay sets conditions for any future Virginia casino bill
Before considering the amendment, the board unanimously approved an updated letter from McKay for the county’s legislative package. The letter sets clear conditions for any future casino bill:
- It must include a local referendum authorized by the board.
- Requires the establishment of a statewide gaming commission before moving forward.
McKay argued that the current revenue-sharing model does not guarantee Fairfax a favorable financial deal and raised concerns about past bills that attempted to dictate specific site criteria. He said such language could undermine local control over land-use decisions. His letter also cited the state’s underfunding of education and rising local tax pressures, emphasizing the need for long-term revenue reform rather than reliance on a casino project.
How the Tysons casino proposal took shape
The Tysons casino proposal has been championed in part by Comstock, a Reston-based developer that has spent more than $2.5 million on lobbying since 2023. The developer has outlined a 4 million-square-foot entertainment district in Tysons featuring:
- A high-end hotel
- A gaming floor
- A convention center
- A concert venue
- Restaurants
- Retail space
- Workforce housing
- About 200,000 square feet dedicated to the casino
Earlier efforts to advance casino legislation met strong public resistance. In 2023, Sen. Dave Marsden and Del. Wren Williams introduced referendum bills, both of which were withdrawn after backlash.
The Virginia casino fight shifts to Richmond in 2026
The casino debate is resurfacing in Richmond as Fairfax County contends with declines in its commercial tax base. Supporters of an entertainment district argue that such a project could generate significant revenue. Sen. Scott Surovell has said the district could help support Metro and yield more than $2.3 billion per decade for school construction and other state needs.
Marsden introduced another casino bill in 2024, SB 675, which was carried over to 2025 and later narrowed to Tysons. SB 982 passed the Senate in 2025 but died in a House subcommittee. Surovell has confirmed that another bill is expected in 2026.
Other lawmakers remain firmly opposed. Sen. Jennifer Boysko has said that constituents in Dranesville and Hunter Mill oppose a casino and that the General Assembly should focus on affordability, education, transportation and shifts in federal funding rather than gaming proposals.
What the casino debate means for Fairfax’s future
The debate highlights long-standing tension between local and state control, especially in land-use decisions along the Silver Line. County leaders are also grappling with housing costs, gaps in education funding, and the low share of state revenue that returns to Fairfax. Many supervisors say they want to resolve the casino question to refocus on daily needs in the county. The close December vote may shape Fairfax’s standing as the 2026 General Assembly session approaches.
Moreover, the broader context adds urgency: casinos across Virginia recently reported a combined $82.1 million in adjusted gross revenue in October — a significant 30% year-over-year rise — underscoring why statewide casino legislation remains very much alive.
