Article Text

A stalled effort to bring a massive casino complex to Fairfax County is back in play, despite opposition from Tysons residents and the county’s Board of Supervisors.

Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, a Democrat who represents part of Fairfax County, has revived and revised legislation that would add the county to the list of localities permitted to host a casino.

A similar measure introduced by Surovell died in a House of Delegates committee last year. State lawmakers have repeatedly failed to advance casino legislation affecting Fairfax County since 2022.

Surovell argues Virginia is losing hundreds of millions of dollars to MGM National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He said the state should recapture money that residents are spending across the Potomac River.

The proposed entertainment complex would include a casino, hotel, performing arts center and convention center.

Opponents say the development would be a poor fit for Tysons and could worsen traffic and congestion. At residents’ request, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted against the proposal last month.

Paula Martino, president of the opposition group Tysons Stakeholders Alliance, called the bill’s return disappointing. She said it disregards people who live and work in Tysons and predicted residents would respond as they have in previous years.

Surovell maintains that Fairfax County needs additional revenue because of its high real estate taxes and lack of a large convention center. He said the project could generate about $300 million annually—or roughly $3 billion over a decade—for the county.

That money, he said, could support teachers, firefighters, police officers, other first responders and county services.

The legislation would not authorize a casino by itself. It requires a referendum, leaving the final decision to voters.