Richmond, Va. – Casino bill SB 982 has advanced to the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee. The bill will eventually allow Fairfax County residents to vote on a new casino.
With a 5-2 vote, the Virginia Gaming Subcommittee pushed SB 982 to the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee, where they will study the project and how it could affect the community. The room was filled with anti-casino proponents who believe that a casino in the Tysons Corner area would increase traffic and lead to national security, gambling, and accountability concerns.
Sen. Scott Surovell, a Democrat from Fairfax County, introduced the casino bill. Surovell stated that he started seeking legislation for a casino in Fairfax County after MGM announced the National Harbor Casino in Maryland. According to Surovell, the MGM casino has produced $550 million in revenue annually.
Senator Surovell told the gaming subcommittee that Maryland is pulling players from Virginia and reaping the benefits. He also said that the National Harbor casino is Maryland’s crown jewel and that Virginia needs a similar project. Surovell said that a Fairfax casino could generate billions in state revenue and $183 million for school construction.
Sen. Christopher Head (R, Alleghany County) noted that many people opposed the casino and that he found it interesting that no one who supported it, outside of union leaders, was in attendance.
Virginia Casino History
Casinos in Virginia are only a few years old, having been passed in 2020 via voter referendum. The first temporary casino (Bristol) opened in the state in 2022, and other casinos opened the following year. Only four VA casinos are operating today, and one more casino license is available in the state. Fairfax County was added to the list of host cities after Richmond voters voted down a casino initiative.
Fairfax County sits on the state line that borders Washington, D.C., and Maryland. The MGM National Harbor Casino is just a short drive over the bridge from Alexandria and in close proximity to D.C.
Does VA Offer Online Casinos?
There are currently no gambling laws that allow state-licensed casinos to operate online. However, online casinos from outside of the state are permitted to accept VA players.
Virginia did, however, pass in-person and online sports betting in 2021. However, an online casino bill will likely not be proposed until a gaming commission supported by Governor Glenn Youngkin is established.