Virginia Senate committee approves bill that would allow casino in Fairfax County

A Virginia Senate committee approved legislation Wednesday that would allow the possibility of a resort-style casino being built in Fairfax County.

Some lawmakers want the controversial proposed casino and convention center in Tysons to help offset declining commercial tax revenue.

A group of casino opponents loaded onto a bus Wednesday morning bound for Richmond, where the bill was debated in a Senate committee.

“We’ll be a presence and we’ll make our interests and our opposition to this known,” Barbara Katz said.

In the subcommittee meeting Tuesday night, state Sen. Dave Marsden explained a state review concluded Virginians are spending more than $100 million ever year gambling across the Potomac River at MGM National Harbor.

“I’m getting tired of paying for Maryland schools; I think it’s time we paid for Virginia schools,” he said.

Marsden said the post-pandemic economy has hit Fairfax County particularly hard, and that office space once filled with federal government contractors who desired physical proximity to the nation's capital is empty now that many are working remotely, the Associated Press reported.

“This is the canary in the coal mine that our economy is changing in Northern Virginia, and we need this help,” Marsden said.

If the general assembly approves the bill, and the governor signs it, Fairfax County voters will hold the cards in their hand –final approval would be decided on the ballot during a future election.

Supporters have noted that the county's board of supervisors would have to sign off on a referendum as well, AP reported.

Also on Wednesday, the committee voted in support of legislation that would allow online sportsbooks to take wagers on games involving colleges located within the state.