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A proposal that could bring a casino to Tysons has cleared the Virginia General Assembly for the first time in four years, sending the contentious measure to Gov. Abigail Spanberger.
SB756 would permit a casino as part of a 1.5 million-square-foot mixed-use development in Fairfax County. The project could proceed only if the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorizes a voter referendum and county voters approve it.
The legislation required negotiations after the House of Delegates and Senate passed different versions in recent weeks. A conference committee produced the final compromise, which lawmakers approved Saturday evening.
Under that agreement, the casino could be built only in the Tysons area. Earlier language would have allowed the development elsewhere in Fairfax County.
Lawmakers also dropped a provision that could have permitted a temporary casino to operate for as long as five years with approval from the state’s Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission.
Spanberger, a Democrat who took office in January, has not said whether she will sign the bill. She previously indicated that she might consider the legislation if the General Assembly established a state gaming commission, but the final measure does not create one.
Even with the governor’s approval, the casino would face a substantial local obstacle. Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay has said he does not plan to authorize a referendum.
In December, supervisors voted 5-4 to oppose the casino legislation unless a majority of the board requested it.