General Assembly session and Tysons casino proposal

General Assembly session begins Jan. 14

Virginia lawmakers renew casino push as debate over gaming commission intensifies

Virginia lawmakers are preparing for a renewed fight over casino expansion as Sen. Scott Surovell plans to reintroduce legislation that would allow a casino in Tysons, even as Fairfax County leaders remain narrowly opposed to the idea.

Surovell, a Democrat representing Fairfax County, said he will bring back a bill in the General Assembly session beginning January 14, arguing that a Tysons casino could help shore up local finances. “Fairfax County is currently facing a $130 million budget deficit, and they're facing a deficit as far as the eye can see,” he said. “They constantly ask us for additional authority to raise revenue, and this would present a huge opportunity.”

Fairfax County supervisors’ opposition

Fairfax County supervisors on Tuesday voted 5-4 against supporting casino-related legislation. The board has previously resisted efforts to fast-track authorization, and two earlier attempts to advance a casino in Richmond's legislature failed.

Supervisor Walter Alcorn said the proposal risks undermining long-standing local planning processes. “The designation and location of a casino is inherently a major land use decision, and General Assembly intervention in Fairfax County’s land use processes would undermine decades of community consensus and economic success,” he said.

Push to create a Virginia Gaming Commission

Del. Paul Krizek, who chairs the Virginia ABC/Gaming House subcommittee, is pushing separate legislation to create a statewide Virginia Gaming Commission, which would consolidate oversight of the lottery, online gambling, and horse racing under a single authority.

“We’ve got all kinds of gambling going in Virginia, and we do not have one regulatory body,” Krizek told WUSA9.

“We need to put it all under one umbrella and one roof, and there will be synergy and cost savings as well that will accrue to the general fund,” he added.

Disagreement over Tysons casino and licensing

Krizek has also said a Tysons casino is not appropriate in Fairfax County, arguing that any expansion would require a voter referendum.

Surovell warned he may oppose the creation of a Gaming Commission if it enables other casinos to secure licenses before Fairfax County can compete for one. “I'm not going to support a Gaming Commission if that means other casinos lock their licenses in before the one that's going to benefit my constituents has an opportunity to negotiate its own license,” he said.

Current casino landscape in Virginia

Virginia currently has five operating casinos, two of which are in temporary facilities. Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin sought to establish a Gaming Commission last year, but the measure was stripped from the budget. Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger has not yet commented on the issue.