Virginia Senator to Propose Retail Casino Bill Despite Odds

Legislation to allow residents of Northern Virginia to decide the fate of a commercial casino is expected to be filed in January. 

Virginia Senator Dave Marsden (D-Fairfax) is leading the fight. A new brick-and-mortar casino could be built in Tysons (Fairfax County). 

As of January, it’ll mark three years Marsden has been trying to designate Fairfax as a good location for a casino. 

This is yet another update since late October, when fellow Democrats in the area opposed the idea of a casino. 

Looking Back at Marsden’s Efforts

In February, Marsden’s bill, Senate Bill 675, was withdrawn by the Senate Finance & Appropriations Resources subcommittee. 

It was carried over to the 2025 session, but it’s not expected to get a good outcome before the No. 18 deadline.

Thus, Marsden will likely file a new version when the Senate gathers on Jan. 8. 

Incoming Polling

As mentioned, Marsden has been at this for years, and since his initial try in 2022, he’s been more open to input. 

That said, homeowners associates, town leaders, and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors have staunchly opposed a casino in Tysons. 

According to Marsden, a public poll will be conducted to see if residents support a casino while filling them in on its potential economic impact, including tens of millions of dollars in annual tax revenue for the county, which could assist with property taxes. 

The property tax argument has been a favorite of Marsden, especially with COVID-10 impacting it. 

Right now, Tysons and McClean (towns in Fairfax County) are home to large companies, but most of that office space is vacant due to employees working from home.  

But First, A Referendum 

While Marsden may be pushing hard for a casino, a 2020 law requires that a casino be authorized by a county with a local referendum supporting it. 

The gaming law in 2020 was passed to help economically disadvantaged areas, but that isn’t the case for Fairfax or Tysons. That said, Marsden is still pursuing the property tax angle. 

Those in favor of the casino include unions in the area, such as the Northern Virginia AFL-CIO, Unite Here Local 23, and Fairfax County Federation of Teachers. They believe a casino would create thousands of solid-paying jobs and generate tax revenue.