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Virginia’s House of Delegates approved legislation Wednesday that could open Fairfax County to a casino, advancing a proposal that has drawn resistance from Northern Virginia lawmakers, residents and county officials.

Senate Bill 756 could soon reach Gov. Abigail Spanberger, but delegates and senators must first reconcile differences between the versions passed by each chamber.

Introduced by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, the measure would allow voters to decide whether Virginia’s largest jurisdiction should host a casino. Earlier proposals centered on Tysons, while the latest version would permit the project anywhere in Fairfax County.

The Senate passed the bill last month despite opposition from several Northern Virginia lawmakers. State Sen. Jennifer Boysko said many constituents had urged her not to bring a casino to the county.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has also opposed the idea. Before the 2026 General Assembly session, the board voted against including a casino in its legislative priorities.

Surovell has argued that a casino and entertainment district would keep gambling revenue in Virginia instead of allowing it to flow to MGM National Harbor. Citing a 2019 report from Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, he said the Fairfax project could generate more revenue than all other casinos authorized in Virginia combined.

Critics remain concerned about the potential effects on traffic and crime.

Although the casino has become the proposal’s main focus, Surovell has previously said the larger development could include a hotel, concert and conference venues, an entertainment district and an IMAX center designed for sporting events.