The No Fairfax Casino Coalition still doesn’t want a casino, but believes a regulator is necessary
The No Fairfax Casino Coalition (NFCC), a group that has long opposed casino development in Northern Virginia, has announced its backing for the creation of a Virginia Gaming Commission. While the coalition remains firmly against any effort to bring a casino to Fairfax County, its leaders say a statewide commission is necessary to provide stronger oversight of the Commonwealth’s rapidly expanding gambling landscape.
In a statement, NFCC Chair Lynne Mulston said the organization supports a moratorium on new casinos and online platforms until the commission is established and fully operational. The coalition argues that Virginia’s current oversight is fragmented, with responsibilities spread across multiple state agencies and, in some cases, little regulation at all.
A centralized commission, they argue, would streamline enforcement, bring transparency, and ensure consistent standards across all types of gaming — including casinos, sports betting, racetrack casinos, charitable gaming, online betting, and gray-market machines. Proponents also believe such a body could respond more effectively to the social and economic challenges tied to gambling, particularly the rise of problem gambling.
The proposed commission would act as a single point of contact for citizens, legislators, and law enforcement while concentrating regulatory expertise under one roof. NFCC leaders say this would not only increase efficiency but also provide clearer accountability. In addition, they stressed the importance of keeping safeguards in place, such as requiring local governments to initiate any new casino site proposals and maintaining the referendum process that allows residents to decide directly on potential casino projects.
The coalition praised Delegate Paul Krizek and Senator Lashrecse Aird for introducing legislation to move the idea forward and urged lawmakers to make the commission a priority in the 2026 General Assembly session. For NFCC, the effort represents a way to balance their opposition to local casino expansion with their call for stronger, statewide regulation of gaming activity.
