The latest attempt to allow a casino gaming resort in Fairfax County is moving forward in Virginia’s legislature, putting one of Northern Virginia’s most contentious issues back on the table, and the fight is heating up.
Lynne Mulston of No Fairfax Casino knew the fight would be long and likely uphill the entire way. It’s led her to Virginia’s capitol building, where No Fairfax Casino is lobbying state lawmakers to vote against a bill that would allow a massive casino gaming resort in Fairfax County.
“Residents and voters in Fairfax County do not want and do not need a casino in their community,” Mulston said.
Democratic Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell says Fairfax County needs new tax revenue from a project like the casino.
“There’s no question, Fairfax County is facing a $300 million shortfall, deficit, whatever you want to call it, with the highest real estate tax in all of Northern Virginia while Loudoun County, right next door, has a $250 million surplus with a tax rate that’s 30% less,” he said. “Fairfax needs a different economic development strategy. They need to attract other businesses, other industries. Commercial office isn’t doing it anymore.”
For the past few years, various senators from Fairfax County have pushed bills that would allow a casino in Fairfax County. Last year, the Senate approved a bill that would have allowed a bill specifically in Tysons. Early renderings of a proposed Tysons casino showed a high-end resort.
That bill died in the House.
This year, the bill is not limited to Tysons; it would allow a casino anywhere in Fairfax County.
“I have never seen an issue galvanize my community the way this has,” said Del. Rip Sullivan, D-Fairfax County, who has lived in the McLean area for half a century.
He and several other Democrats, including Sen. Jennifer Boysko and Del. Holly Seibold, say the Tysons commercial real estate market is stable and doesn’t need a casino.
“Tysons’ office-vacancy rate actually declined in 2025,” Sullivan said. “It’s now at 20%, which is below the Washington, D.C., metro area.”
Surovell is confident his bill will pass. Boysko, an opponent of the bill, believes the same.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has been clear it didn’t ask for a casino in Tysons and isn’t interested. Now that the project isn’t limited to Tysons, some people in Richmond say the board might be more willing to let voters decide.
The bill could have its final vote in the Senate this week before heading to the House of Delegates.
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