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A renewed push to open Fairfax County to casino development has gained a powerful sponsor in Richmond: Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell.
Surovell, a Democrat representing the 34th District, is carrying the 2025 legislation that would add Fairfax to Virginia’s limited list of casino-eligible localities. He takes over the effort from Sen. Dave Marsden, who introduced similar bills in 2023 and 2024.
Surovell said he has supported expanding casino gambling in Virginia since MGM National Harbor opened in Maryland in 2016. He argued that gambling revenue generated by Virginians should remain in the commonwealth and help fund Fairfax County public schools rather than benefiting Maryland and Prince George’s County.
Senate Bill 982 is largely unchanged from Marsden’s previous proposal, which was initially delayed until 2025 and then rejected by a committee late last year. Its location restrictions would effectively confine any potential Fairfax casino to part of Tysons near the Silver Line.
Even if the General Assembly passes the bill and the governor signs it, a casino would not be automatic. The legislation would allow—but not compel—the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to schedule a referendum. County voters would then decide whether to authorize casino gambling.
Comstock envisions a massive entertainment district
The bill names neither a casino site nor an operator. However, Comstock Companies confirmed at a recent community forum that it wants to build a casino-centered entertainment district on land it controls at 8546 Leesburg Pike, near the Spring Hill Metro station.
A lobbying flyer distributed to state lawmakers describes a proposed mixed-use development spanning 6 million to 8 million square feet. Plans outlined in the flyer include a casino, a 6,000-seat performing arts venue, a 600-room hotel, a convention center, stores and housing.
The project’s ultimate size would depend on how much additional property Comstock could control around the station if voters approved a casino referendum. Competing developers could also submit casino proposals.
Surovell said such a complex could broaden Fairfax County’s sources of revenue and give the county a venue capable of hosting major conventions. He noted that Fairfax has a population larger than eight states but lacks facilities for large convention business.
He also argued that new tourism revenue could ease pressure on homeowners, renters and small businesses while creating union construction and operating jobs with strong pay and benefits.
The legislation itself does not require labor protections from a future casino developer or operator. Union leaders supporting the casino effort, however, have said they reached an agreement with Comstock concerning its proposed project.
Supervisors warn casino could derail Tysons
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has not adopted a unified position on the bill, but several supervisors are firmly opposed.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn pledged to fight legislation authorizing a casino in Tysons or elsewhere along the Silver Line. Alcorn, whose district covers part of Tysons, said the area has followed an ambitious, community-backed development plan since 2010 and warned that a casino would disrupt it.
He also contended that a casino near a Silver Line station would discourage major employers from locating there and called for the proposal to be defeated in 2025.
Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman, whose district includes McLean and the Herndon area, said the latest legislation is worse than earlier versions. He argued that it would further limit Fairfax County’s customary land-use authority for the benefit of a particular developer.
Bierman pointed to the collapse of Comstock’s downtown Herndon redevelopment project, describing it as another example of failed promises familiar to Dranesville residents.
Bill faces its first committee test
Surovell’s proposal was awaiting review by the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology, which was scheduled to hold its first meeting of the 2025 session at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Virginia’s original casino law authorized as many as five locations: Portsmouth, Norfolk, Danville, Richmond and Bristol. Richmond voters rejected casino referendums in both 2021 and 2023, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed legislation in 2024 removing the capital from the eligibility list.
Youngkin’s position on adding Fairfax County remained uncertain. Surovell said he had not discussed the proposal with the governor.
During his State of the Commonwealth address on Monday, Youngkin urged lawmakers to concentrate on creating a comprehensive gambling regulator instead of advancing individual bills promoted by special-interest groups.
The governor endorsed establishing a Virginia Gaming Commission, an idea Surovell said he also supports. Del. Paul Krizek, a Fairfax County Democrat representing the 16th District, proposed legislation to create an independent commission overseeing all legal gambling in Virginia.