Wow, big news from Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s office; see her statement regarding her veto of legislation for a referendum on a new casino in Tysons (Fairfax County); also check out the reactions, by Fairfax County officials and others…
Governor Spanberger Vetoes Proposed Fairfax Casino
Governor Reiterates Call for “A Single, Independent, and Dedicated Entity Responsible for Regulating” Gaming in Virginia
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today vetoed legislation that would require the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to call a referendum vote on a casino in Tysons Corner regardless of the Board’s explicit opposition. The Governor said the bill would set a precedent against local decision-making on gambling, and she reiterated her belief that a statewide independent commission is needed to regulate gambling in Virginia.
“Local governing boards should lead on proposed casino development, as has happened in every locality that now has a casino,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “But in Fairfax County, the Board of Supervisors has explicitly opposed this legislation, and an overwhelming majority of the General Assembly members who represent Fairfax voted against it.”
Spanberger noted that since the General Assembly first authorized casinos in 2020, all of the five cities where they now operate — and the one where multiple local referendums failed — have actively sought the authority to hold referendums and have strongly advocated for their projects. Existing law requires that once the General Assembly asserts a locality is eligible for a casino — as Senate Bill 756 does for Fairfax County, the local governing body must petition the court for a referendum. This process worked for the six aforementioned localities that wanted to hold casino referendums, but in the case of a locality where the local governing body opposes such an effort, the impact of this legislation is to supersede local authority.
The Governor noted that the legislation would further restrict local decision-making by enabling legislators in Richmond to assign the specific location of the casino.
“In no other circumstance has the General Assembly prescribed specifications for a casino’s location,” said Spanberger. “This effectively precludes local input and eliminates local decisions. While this legislation specifically affects only Fairfax County, it would set a precedent to bring casino referendums to other localities where the local governing board may similarly oppose such an effort.”
Additionally, the Governor reiterated that while gambling has expanded in recent years in Virginia, the Commonwealth continues to lack a statewide entity to regulate the industry.
“I remain deeply concerned about the continuous efforts to expand gaming across Virginia without a single, independent, and dedicated entity responsible for regulating all legal forms of gaming across the Commonwealth,” Spanberger added. “A unified regulatory structure is essential to ensuring transparency, accountability, safety, and public confidence. I am committed to working with the General Assembly moving forward to ensure that communities across the Commonwealth remain safe, prosperous, and healthy.”
The Governor’s official veto statement for Senate Bill 756:
Pursuant to Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill 756 as it would strip the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors of control over the local approval process, require the county to set a referendum, and set a broader precedent.
Per existing law, once the General Assembly decides a locality is “eligible” for a casino regardless of the locality’s preferences, the local governing board has a non-discretionary, ministerial duty to adopt a resolution and petition the court to hold the referendum. Therefore, local governing boards should lead on proposed casino development, as has been the prior standard and process. Senate Bill 756 would effectively change this standard and eliminate local control.
While this legislation only affects Fairfax County, it would set a precedent that could be used to bring casino referendums to other localities where the local governing boards may similarly oppose such efforts.
Accordingly, I veto this bill.
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Chairman Statement on Governor Spanberger’s Veto of Casino Bill
Fairfax, VA – On behalf of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and our over 1 million residents, I would like to thank Governor Spanberger for her veto of SB756, also known as the casino bill. Governor Spanberger was gracious with her time in affording me the opportunity to outline the Board of Supervisors’ and our residents’ concerns on this matter. This veto demonstrates the Governor’s respect for local authority and being responsive to those we represent. Our residents have been clear in their overwhelming opposition to a casino in Fairfax County.
I look forward to continuing to work with the Governor and the General Assembly in making Virginia affordable for all of our residents. In Governor Spanberger, the Commonwealth has a leader who will fight for us day in and day out and I could not be prouder as a Virginian for a leader such as herself.
Jeffrey C. McKay
Chairman
Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Scott Surovell Releases Statement on the Governor’s Veto of SB756
Mount Vernon, VA- Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34th) issued the following statement today in response to Governor Spanberger’s veto of Senate Bill 756, legislation that would have made Fairfax County eligible to host a casino entertainment complex in Tysons:
“I am deeply disappointed by Governor Spanberger’s veto of SB 756. This bill was Northern Virginia labor’s number one legislative priority — supported by every major building trades union in the region — and it carried the endorsement of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Critically, it earned genuine bipartisan support, passing the Virginia Senate 25-13 and the House of Delegates 55-41 with votes from both Democrats and Republicans who recognized the enormous economic opportunity this legislation represented for Northern Virginia and for the Commonwealth.
SB 756 would have generated thousands of good-paying, well-benefitted private sector union construction jobs to build a world-class entertainment destination at Tysons — and thousands more permanent hospitality and entertainment jobs thereafter. These are the kinds of careers that build a middle class, with wages and benefits that let working families put down roots in Northern Virginia.
This bill would also have ended, once and for all, the absurd economic reality that Virginia taxpayers drive across the Potomac to spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year at MGM National Harbor and at casinos in West Virginia — dollars that generate tax revenue for Maryland schools and Maryland infrastructure while Virginia gets nothing. That is a subsidy of our neighbors, paid for by our own residents, and this veto ensures it continues.
And while we stood still, Maryland ran. The Sphere — one of the most iconic and transformative entertainment venues in the world — is going to MGM National Harbor, not Tysons. An independent analysis by EY projects that venue alone will generate $1.5 billion in annual economic activity for Maryland and nearly 8,000 jobs. That is $1.5 billion every single year flowing to our neighbors across the Potomac — jobs, tax revenue, and tourism that belong in Virginia, serving Virginia families. Maryland is competing aggressively for the large-scale entertainment investments of the future. We just handed them another win.
The voters of Fairfax County were never going to be bypassed. SB 756 did nothing more than give Fairfax County the same rights that Norfolk, Portsmouth, Bristol, Danville, and Petersburg already have — the right to put this question to the people. It was a permission slip, not a mandate. Fairfax voters would have had the final say. Instead, that choice has been taken away from them by the stroke of a pen.
When labor unions and the Chamber of Commerce agree, when Democrats and Republicans vote together, that is a signal that something is right for Virginia. The Governor vetoed a rare moment of consensus in favor of workers, businesses, and economic growth. I have worked on this legislation for four years. I will not stop. Northern Virginia workers and families deserve the economic opportunity that every other region of this Commonwealth already has access to. We will be back.”
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Senator Scott A. Surovell represents the 34th Senate District encompassing Southeastern Fairfax County. Prior to his time in the Senate, Surovell served six years in the House of Delegates. Surovell lives in Mt. Vernon. He practices law and has dedicated his legislative career to fighting for Northern Virginia’s fair share, protecting consumers, and preserving our environment for future generations.
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