Virginia lawmakers are gearing up for a renewed push to establish a statewide Gaming Commission and potentially bring a casino to Tysons in Fairfax County. This comes as Senator Scott Surovell plans to reintroduce legislation for a Tysons casino, aiming to address the county’s significant budget deficit. However, the proposal faces opposition from some Fairfax County supervisors who prioritize local land use decisions and the establishment of a regulatory body before considering new gaming facilities.
Key Takeaways
- Senator Scott Surovell plans to reintroduce legislation for a Tysons casino to help address Fairfax County’s budget deficit.
- Fairfax County supervisors have voted against supporting casino legislation, citing concerns about local land use processes.
- Delegate Paul Krizek is proposing legislation to create a unified Virginia Gaming Commission to oversee all forms of gambling in the state.
- Senator Surovell indicated he might oppose the Gaming Commission if it disadvantages the potential Fairfax County casino’s licensing opportunities.
The Push for a Gaming Commission
Delegate Paul Krizek is championing the creation of a Virginia Gaming Commission, a move he believes is long overdue. Currently, various gambling activities in the Commonwealth are overseen by disparate entities, including the Virginia Lottery, the Virginia Racing Commission, and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Krizek argues that consolidating these under a single regulatory body would create synergy, lead to cost savings, and benefit the general fund.
"We’ve got all kinds of gambling going in Virginia, and we do not have one regulatory body," Krizek stated. "We need to put it all under one umbrella and one roof, and there will be synergy and cost savings as well that will accrue to the general fund."
Casino Plans for Tysons
Senator Scott Surovell intends to reintroduce legislation for a casino in Tysons, citing the substantial $130 million budget deficit facing Fairfax County. He believes a casino presents a significant revenue-generating opportunity for the county. "They constantly ask us for additional authority to raise revenue, and this would present a huge opportunity," Surovell commented.
However, this initiative has met resistance from some Fairfax County supervisors. In a recent 5-4 vote, the board opposed legislation authorizing a casino. Supervisor Walter Alcorn emphasized that the location and designation of a casino are major land use decisions that should not be subject to state legislative intervention, which he believes would undermine local planning and community consensus. Alcorn also stressed the importance of establishing a Gaming Commission and ensuring a substantial tax revenue split benefits Fairfax County residents before any casino plans move forward.
Potential Conflicts and Future Outlook
The debate highlights a potential conflict between Surovell’s desire to advance the Tysons casino and Krizek’s focus on establishing the Gaming Commission first. Surovell has expressed that he may not support the Gaming Commission if it allows other casinos to secure licenses before the Fairfax County project has a chance to negotiate its own, potentially putting it at a competitive disadvantage.
Previous attempts to advance casino legislation in Virginia have failed, including a bill for a Tysons casino that did not pass a House committee. Governor Glenn Youngkin had prioritized a Gaming Commission in the last session, but it was removed from the budget. The stance of Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger on these matters has not yet been publicly stated.
