The bill is now waiting for the signature of newly-elected Governor Abigail Spanberger
Lawmakers in Virginia have approved new legislation that could open the door for a casino development in the Tysons area of Fairfax County. The proposal passed the state’s General Assembly after several years of debate, marking the first time in four years the measure has cleared both chambers.
The bill, SB756, allows a casino to be included in a large mixed-use project planned for Tysons. The development would cover roughly 1.5 million square feet and combine entertainment, commercial, and residential space. The project can only move forward if local leaders allow the issue to go to voters.
Earlier versions of the legislation were passed separately in the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate. Because the two chambers approved different proposals, lawmakers formed a conference committee to produce a final compromise. That revised version received approval Saturday evening.
One key change narrowed the possible location of the casino. Previous drafts allowed construction anywhere in Fairfax County. The final agreement restricts the project strictly to the Tysons district, a major commercial area just outside Washington, DC.
Another adjustment removed language that would have permitted a temporary casino to operate for up to five years. That idea had been tied to approval from the state’s Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission, but lawmakers chose to remove the provision in the final version.
The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Abigail Spanberger. The newly elected governor has not publicly said whether she plans to sign or reject the measure. Reports have suggested she previously showed interest in casino legislation if the state created a gaming commission.
Even if the governor signs the bill, the project still faces another hurdle. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors must first approve placing the question on a public referendum. Chairman Jeff McKay has indicated he does not currently plan to schedule such a vote.
