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Read Full BioSaying voters in Fairfax, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., are less than enthusiastic about the prospect of a new casino coming to their neighborhood would be an understatement, according to the results of a new survey from Global Strategy Group.
The poll, commissioned by Freedom Virginia, found that a large majority of Fairfax County residents oppose bringing a casino to Tysons Corner, which highlights the local resistance lawmakers face, as the proposal is expected to return to the legislative agenda in 2026.
Back in August, the No Fairfax Casino Coalition doubled down on its opposition to the Tysons casino and threw its support behind plans for a Virginia Gaming Commission to oversee new gaming proposals across the state.
Broad Opposition Across Party Lines
The poll, which surveyed 800 likely voters across Fairfax County, found that 75% of residents were against building a casino in Tysons, with 50% strongly opposed to the plan. As it stands, only 23% expressed support.
Resistance to the plan crossed party lines, with 77% of Democrats, 74% of independents, and 73% of Republicans saying they don’t support the development. In the Greater Tysons area, which includes Dunn Loring, Falls Church, McLean, and Vienna, opposition rose to 80%.
The findings showed that nearly nine in 10 voters (88%) believe casinos worsen traffic congestion in surrounding neighborhoods, while 76% say Virginians already have enough gaming options.
Freedom Virginia’s co-executive director, Ryan O’Toole, said the results reflect voters’ priorities. “Fairfax voters are clear: they do not want a casino in the county, and they reject the argument that a casino will boost the local economy or lower their taxes,” O’Toole said.
Economic Concerns & Calls for Local Control
Voters in Fairfax County aren’t convinced the casino would have any meaningful impact on the county’s finances. Only 21% of respondents believe the project is needed to address Fairfax’s revenue challenges.
In contrast, 75% said the project would do more harm than good, especially for local businesses. Meanwhile, 76% of respondents would rather see tax hikes for big corporations and the ultra-wealthy to fund services.
Another key takeaway from the survey is that respondents expressed a desire for local control, with 87% of voters agreeing that whether a casino is approved for the area or not should depend on local support. The vast majority, 72% said it should be the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors who decides whether the development goes forward, not lawmakers in Richmond.
Freedom Virginia called on the Board of Supervisors to take a strong stance against the proposed casino, saying: “It’s time to put this unwanted issue to rest and move on to addressing the real and dire economic pressures facing Fairfax residents and Virginians right now, and we urge the Board of Supervisors to do just that by opposing the casino.”
State Senator Surovell Pushes Back Against Poll Findings
State Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax) criticized the poll results, telling Blue Virginia that the research comes from a “poll funded by a secret donor with no poll script, cross tabs or transparency” and described it as “a prelude to MGM’s ‘grassroots’ campaign to keep sucking $200 million a year out of Northern Virginia to fund Maryland schools.”
Surovell believes public opinion will shift once residents learn more about the project’s potential impact on the Tysons Corner area. “When Fairfax County residents learn that a Tysons entertainment district creates 5,000 permanent union private sector jobs, creates $300 million of funding per year to support teacher, firefighter, and police salaries, and lowers their real estate taxes… they support this option,” he said.
Renewed Legislative Push Expected in 2026
State Senator Dave Marsden (D-Fairfax), who previously sponsored a bill authorizing a casino referendum, has also vowed to revisit the issue during the next legislative session.
During an appearance on The Politics Hour on WAMU with Kojo Nnamdi in May, the senator framed the casino as an economic necessity due to declining tax revenue.
Marsden isn’t a fan of casinos, but emphasized, “Over $150 million a year is being drained out of Northern Virginia. Look, I don’t like casinos.” He went on to say: “I don’t like the idea of gambling either, but you either compete or you die in this environment.”
Given the results of the Global Strategy Group survey, it’s safe to say the path forward most likely won’t be easy. As legislators get ready to resume the debate, the divide between local opposition and political supporters means that the Tysons casino proposal will likely be one of Virginia’s most closely watched issues heading into 2026.
