Fairfax Board Opposes Casino Unless Requested — A Deepening Blow to Tysons Plan

The proposed Tysons Corner casino suffered another setback in its political progress this week. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors narrowly voted 5–4 to oppose any casino legislation unless it is explicitly requested by the board and paired with specific guardrails.

Supervisors Back Guardrails to Halt Unsolicited Casino Push

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, who introduced the amendment, said that Tysons stakeholders told him they “are worried” about what a casino could mean for the area.

The amendment — now included in the county’s 2026 legislative package — reads:

“Oppose legislation in the General Assembly that authorizes a casino in Fairfax County without any request for such legislation from the Board of Supervisors, without implementation of a statewide Gaming Commission, and without a tax revenue split that substantially benefits Fairfax County as opposed to the commonwealth.”

Supporters argued that the county must safeguard the local planning authority. They warned that top-down casino legislation could destabilize long-term development strategies in Tysons.

Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk emphasized Tysons’ economic identity. He described it as “the number-one business center in the commonwealth” and inquired, “How do we ensure we’re not creating an issue?”

But the debate also exposed skepticism about the process. Board Chair Jeff McKay, who voted in favor of the amendment, criticized its late entry during the meeting. He called it “a moment of political opportunism.” He also expressed concern that it could be interpreted in Richmond as “Fairfax County arrogance.”

McKay also warned that the move could “inadvertently fuel pro-casino sentiment elsewhere in the General Assembly,” noting that some state lawmakers might see Fairfax’s stance as an invitation to push harder.

The amendment follows a separate unanimous vote to approve a legislative letter outlining what would need to occur before Fairfax would even consider supporting a casino referendum. That includes explicit board initiation, a public vote, and a revenue model that delivers substantial fiscal benefit to the county.

Local Resistance Grows Sharply

The board’s internal disagreements come amid a year of sharply escalating public opposition to the Tysons casino proposal.

An October poll showed that 75% of Fairfax voters oppose a casino in Tysons. Opposition climbed above 80% in communities closest to Tysons. The resistance was consistent across Democrats, Republicans, and independents.

The poll also found that the majority of voters did not believe a casino would fix Fairfax’s fiscal challenges or address declining commercial tax revenue.

That sentiment has reshaped political behavior. Multiple Northern Virginia candidates have publicly distanced themselves from the project. That includes District 7 Republican nominee Cassandra Aucoin, who formally announced opposition to the Tysons casino legislation.

Community groups such as the No Fairfax Casino Coalition have also mobilized. In an August endorsement for the creation of a Virginia Gaming Commission, the coalition urged lawmakers to block attempts to authorize the project.

During previous Board of Supervisors meetings, public testimonies against the casino were the dominant theme. Residents argued that the project would worsen traffic, harm local businesses, and erode Tysons’ corporate identity.

Inside the Proposed Tysons Casino Plan

The casino proposal, backed by Comstock Companies, received backing from some politicians and labor unions. Proponents position the project as an economic catalyst for the area. Tysons is home to numerous office buildings that have struggled to maintain financial stability since the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal promises 5,000 jobs.

Plans discussed publicly included a full-scale gaming floor, new hotel rooms, entertainment venues, restaurants, retail offerings, and convention-style facilities.

Virginia’s Casino Landscape: A Tight Framework

Virginia’s current casino map includes five locations. In three cities, Bristol, Danville, and Portsmouth, developers have already opened permanent facilities. The other two, in Petersburg and Norfolk, are currently in the construction phase. In Norfolk, a temporary casino opened in November, while a temporary facility in Petersburg will open in January.

Any new casino site requires new legislation, which must be approved through a local referendum. Earlier this year, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell introduced a bill that proposed adding Fairfax County to the list of eligible areas. It passed in the Senate but failed in the House.

However, with both polling and local government sentiment showing strong opposition, the path forward has narrowed significantly. Even if casino legislation is reintroduced in the 2026 General Assembly session, the project would still require board support and a successful public referendum before any ground can be broken.