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An citizens’ group in Tysons, Virginia has publicized a survey suggesting that residents would not support the development of a casino in their town, even if the proposal makes it through the legislature. While details behind the poll are scant, it highlights that proponents of additional Virginia casino expansion have work to do if they want a potential referendum to succeed.
Legislation to establish the referendum in Tysons is still in process in Richmond. Former US government employees have also voiced their displeasure with the plan.
Poll claims Tysons residents would reject casino
The group publicizing the survey is the Tysons Stakeholders Alliance. According to the organization, it is “a group of residents who live in the Greater Tysons region who are opposed to a casino in our community.”
The Tysons Stakeholders Alliance claims that more than eight in 10 respondents to its polling agrees that a casino “would significantly worsen traffic.” According to the Alliance, over six in 10 respondents agreed that a casino “would hurt local businesses.”
Guidant Polling & Strategy conducted the poll on the behalf of the Tysons Stakeholders Alliance. The survey group included 336 likely voters in Tysons in addition to 500 likely voters in the rest of Fairfax County.
The legislation that would put the casino question to some of those voters is SB 982. While the bill has seen favorable reports from multiple Senate committees, action has since stalled.
Virginia Senate passing on casino bill vote
SB 982, which would establish a casino license for Tysons upon a successful local referendum, got a favorable report from the Senate Finance and Appropriations committee on Jan. 28.
From there it proceeded to the full Senate. However, the Senate has not taken the item up for a vote yet.
While that inaction likely pleases Tysons Stakeholders Alliance members, it is not a guarantee that the proposal lacks support in the Virginia Senate. The legislative calendar for 2025 could be a motivating factor for the Senate’s passing on the bill.
Short session could set stage for 2026
In odd-numbered years, the Virginia Assembly only meets for 30 days. The purpose of these short sessions is to address outstanding issues in the state’s budget.
Other budget matters could simply be taking precedence over the Tysons casino issue at this time. If that is the case, a re-filed version of SB 982 in the 2026 session could pick up where the 2025 bill leaves off.
Other voices besides the Tysons Stakeholders Alliance have voiced their disapproval of the concept of a casino in Tysons. For example, the town council of nearby Vienna and residents of neighboring Loudoun Co. have both displayed negative views.
More recently, a group of former federal employees joined that chorus.
Past government employees decry casino
According to Michael O’Connell of Patch, a letter opposing the development of a casino so close to Washington, D.C. has the signatures of over 100 former government officials, members of Congress, intelligence agency workers, and defense industry employees. The letter states that the signees “can confidently advise you that this population probably represents the highest concentration of federal, civilian, and military employees with the most sensitive security clearances in the United States, with access to the nation’s most critical intelligence and defense information.”
The letter continues to argue that gambling debts can make such individuals targets for blackmail threats. Recipients of the letter included Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, both chambers of the Virginia Assembly, and members of the Fairfax Co. Board of Supervisors.
At this time, the voice of the opposition to a casino in Tysons is louder than those behind the proposal. If the claims of those standing against the casino are accurate, proponents have a long road ahead of them.
