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A sweeping casino and entertainment district proposed for Fairfax County moved closer to a public vote Friday, clearing the Virginia Senate despite opposition from county leaders, residents and several Northern Virginia lawmakers.
Senators approved the measure 23-14, sending it to the House of Delegates. A similar bill passed the Senate last year but stalled in a House subcommittee.
The legislation marks the latest attempt to bring a casino to Fairfax County. Supporters point to the potential statewide revenue, while opponents have raised concerns about traffic, infrastructure, public safety and the lack of local support.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell cited a 2019 report by Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, saying the development would produce “more revenue than all the other casinos we’ve authorized in Virginia combined.”
“That’s just not revenue for Northern Virginia, it’s revenue for the entire state,” Surovell said. “And this has been studied. It was looked at.”
Under the proposal, the casino project would encompass at least 1.5 million square feet. A change adopted this week would allow it to be built anywhere in Fairfax County, expanding beyond the Tysons-focused language in the 2025 version of the legislation.
Surovell said the larger development could also feature a concert venue, conference space, a hotel entertainment district and an IMAX center capable of hosting sporting events.
If the House approves the measure, Fairfax County voters would have the final say in a referendum.
The county’s Board of Supervisors left casino legislation out of its priorities for the 2026 General Assembly session. Several senators representing Northern Virginia also voted against the bill Friday.
Sen. Barbara Favola called the proposal “not fully cooked” and argued that county supervisors have not held a thorough public discussion about it.
She said the planning demands involving infrastructure, transportation, safety and even national security “far outweigh the desirability of engaging in this conversation.”
Sen. Adam Ebbin described the legislation as “a significant departure from past practice,” noting that Fairfax County has not requested the authority to host a casino.
Sen. Jennifer Boysko said opposition has followed her into everyday encounters, including trips to the grocery store and a doctor’s appointment. During a sick visit, she said, her doctor urged her: “Please do not bring a casino here. We don’t need it.”