Lawmakers are getting behind a measure that would add another casino in Virginia
Proposed legislation allowing a casino referendum in northern Virginia will advance after it was approved by a state Senate committee on Wednesday. The bill would allow Fairfax County to hold a referendum on building a casino, convention center and concert hall in Tysons Corner, one of the most affluent suburbs in the country.
Many civic groups and homeowner associations in the vicinity of the proposed casino have voiced opposition, with several lawmakers stating that they’ve received hundreds of emails and letters against the proposal.
Supporters say the legislation only allows county residents to decide whether they’ll allow a casino, noting that the county’s board of supervisors would also have to approve the referendum. The Senate Finance Committee will now review the legislation, which must pass the full Senate, then the House of Delegates and finally be endorsed by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin before becoming law.
Senator David Marsden sponsored the bill and said a casino would give more diversity to the tax base in a county that has historically been the state’s economic motor before the post-pandemic economy was negatively affected. Wednesday’s vote in the Senate’s General Laws and Technology Committee saw 10 in favor and four opposed, with one abstention.
Virginia lawmakers voted in 2020 to allow casinos in five cities, subject to referendum. Danville, Bristol, Norfolk and Portsmouth all voted for a casino, while city voters twice rejected a proposed venue in Richmond.
The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce supports the bill, with many opponents communicating concerns about traffic and crime. The committee also voted on Wednesday to support legislation permitting online sportsbooks to accept bets on games involving Virginia college teams.
