Virginia Gov. Spanberger Has One Week to Decide on Fairfax Casino Bill

The Virginia Governor is now able to decide the fate of a casino in Tysons  in the state’s affluent northern region, despite opposition from local residents. 

SB 756 would allow the construction of a 1.5 million-square-foot mixed-use development complex without needing the approval of  the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The Board already issued a statement that rebuked the casino and the proposed legislation.

The bill—which is different from the version that was initially presented to lawmakers earlier in the legislative session—passed the state’s General Assembly on Saturday for the first time, following four years of attempts.

Virginia Governor will decide on Tysons casino

The Joint Conference Committee last weekend agreed on a version of SB 756 after it had undergone several amendments that was agreeable to both the House and Senate. The bill was then sent to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), who has not publicly declared a stance on a Northern Virginia casino.

Spanberger has seven days to sign, veto, or amend legislation after it is received while the legislature is in session.

As Virginians await her decision, the Board of Supervisors is encouraging the Governor to strike down a bill it never wanted.

“Explicit Fairfax County opposition to casino legislation continues to be Fairfax County policy and I call on Governor Spanberger to veto SB 756,” Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill) said. “We did not ask for it, and we don’t want it.”

Supervisor Dalia Palchik (D-Providence), whose jurisdiction includes the campus of the proposed casino, also asked Spanberger to take action against the bill.

“If the antics of the last 24 hours have made one thing clear, it's that this legislation is not being put forward in good faith by the patron,” she said. “The prescribed location and lousy financial deal for Fairfax make a mockery of local land use authority and take financial advantage of our community.”

What does the bill entail?

As Spanberger mulls a projected eight- or nine-figure decision for the state, different reports have emerged regarding the details of the bill.

On March 13, FFXnow claimed that a new version of the bill would’ve allowed a temporary Tysons casino “without local approval.” Patch also asserted that, once the state authorized a temporary casino, the county would be mandated to award the necessary permits to the developer. 

Board Chair Jeff McKay (D) slammed the idea, saying it undermined the wishes and plans for Fairfax County residents, who already pledged to vote “No” to casino-related bills.

WTOP, as of Monday, reported that the version of the Bill that was sent to Gov. Spanberger did not include the temporary casino allocation. However, it was still contentious in nature, due to its targeting of Fairfax County. 

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors would be allowed to request bids for a casino if SB 756 is approved by Spanberger. The winning bidder would then be placed in front of local voters at a ballot referendum. 

However, SB756 does not require the Board to actually go through with a bidding process or a referendum, meaning it could stagnate and eventually expire.

If approved, the permanent casino would be allowed to offer live-dealer table games and slot machines.