A push to authorize a new casino in Virginia’s D.C. suburbs has hit a major roadblock, as a bill authorizing the establishment of a retail casino in Tysons has failed to make it out of committee. Despite the setback, the bill’s sponsor, Senator Dave Marsden, is not backing down and plans to restart the debate in the 2025 legislative session.
A Setback for Tysons’ Casino Plans
The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 675, was designed to allow the Board of Supervisors in Fairfax County to place a referendum on an upcoming ballot, letting voters decide if they wanted a casino in Tysons. However, despite initial momentum earlier in the year, the bill stalled in the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations.
In early 2024, the committee had voted to send the bill to the General Assembly’s 2025 session, which will begin on January 8. Yet, despite the time given for further discussions, the bill failed to be reheard by the November 18 deadline, effectively putting the Tysons casino proposal on hold for now.
Senator Marsden’s Continued Push
While the bill may be dead for the moment, Senator Marsden is determined to keep fighting for a casino in Tysons. He plans to reintroduce the measure in the next legislative session. The failure to advance the bill this time around has been a setback, but Marsden remains optimistic that the casino project can gain enough traction in the upcoming year.
“We’re not done,” Marsden said after the bill’s failure in committee. “This issue is too important for Fairfax County’s economic future, and I will continue to push for it in 2025.”
Marsden has made it clear that the Tysons casino is a key part of the county’s plans to boost local economic development, with potential job creation and additional revenue for the area. The casino, if approved, would have become the fifth and final retail casino allowed in Virginia under the state’s expanded gambling laws.
The Stakes for Fairfax County
Fairfax County, located just outside Washington, D.C., is one of Virginia’s most populous and affluent areas, making it an attractive location for a casino. For many in the region, the casino would offer not just entertainment options but also the promise of significant economic benefits, including job creation, tourism, and tax revenue.
Despite the positive arguments in favor of the project, opponents of the casino have raised concerns about potential social impacts, such as increased crime and gambling addiction. Additionally, some worry that a casino in Tysons could cannibalize business from neighboring casinos in Virginia, like those in Richmond or Norfolk.
Virginia’s Expanding Casino Landscape
Virginia has seen rapid expansion in its gambling industry in recent years. The state legalized retail casinos in 2020, and several properties have already opened or are in the planning stages. Richmond’s permanent casino is under construction, and Norfolk’s project is slated for development soon.
The debate over a Tysons casino fits into the broader conversation about how far Virginia should go in expanding its gaming industry. While some lawmakers and residents support further expansion as a way to boost the state’s economy, others are cautious about the social impacts of such growth.
The decision to halt Senate Bill 675 is not the end of the road for the Tysons casino proposal. Marsden’s determination to bring the issue back to the General Assembly in 2025 means the fight for a casino in Tysons is far from over.
