Leaders in Tysons are determined to block any effort to bring a casino to the city
Virginia officials are stepping up efforts to halt a proposed casino project in Tysons, signaling the strongest political pushback since the idea surfaced in early 2023. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is preparing to vote on its 2026 Legislative Program, and for the first time, language opposing a casino may be included.
Supervisor Walter Alcorn, long one of the few vocal critics of the proposal, announced he will introduce an amendment urging state lawmakers not to advance any casino legislation without a request from the county. His proposal argues that locating a casino is a major land-use decision and that having the General Assembly override local authority would undermine years of planning and community input.
The amendment quickly gained support from several colleagues, but other board members expressed caution. Supervisor Andres Jimenez, who chairs the legislative committee, said the county must stay focused on broader priorities such as transportation, health care, and state funding for essential services. He stressed the need for collaboration with lawmakers rather than confrontation, even while acknowledging residents’ concerns about the casino plan.
Chairman Jeff McKay echoed those sentiments, highlighting the state’s longstanding failure to adequately fund Northern Virginia schools and services. He argued that the casino debate should not distract from pressing financial issues that directly affect residents.
Fairfax County leaders have repeatedly noted that, unlike other Virginia jurisdictions, they never requested casino authorization and were not involved in crafting previous proposals. Lawmakers in Richmond have already rejected similar bills multiple times, most recently in February, when a House subcommittee unanimously declined to move forward with legislation that would have restarted the process.
With another General Assembly session approaching in January, county leaders appear determined to assert more control over the debate — and to make clear that a casino in Tysons is far from a local priority.
