Two Fairfax County Coalitions Unite Against Proposed Tysons Casino

Two community coalitions in northern Virginia have joined forces to fight renewed efforts to build a casino in Tysons, citing concerns about traffic congestion, crime, and local economic impact. The opposition is gaining momentum as state legislators prepare to revisit the casino debate in 2026.

Good to Know

• Lawmakers plan to reintroduce Tysons casino legislation in 2026 despite local opposition
• Comstock has financially supported both Republican and Democratic candidates
• Community groups warn of major traffic, safety, and wage concerns

The No Fairfax Casino Coalition and the Tysons Stakeholders Alliance recently co-hosted a public webinar to organize residents in Fairfax County. The event aimed to raise awareness as state lawmakers prepare to study gaming expansion through a proposed Virginia Gaming Commission.

Paula Martino, president of the Tysons Stakeholders Alliance, said casino proposals have repeatedly surfaced in Richmond despite strong local resistance:

“Senator Surovell has vowed to introduce casino legislation again in 2026. You might ask who is pushing for this? Well, it certainly isn’t the voters of Fairfax County.”

According to Martino, state senators Dave Marsden and Scott Surovell led earlier efforts to legalize a Tysons casino. Bills were either withdrawn or defeated in 2023 and 2024, while a 2025 version passed the Senate but failed in the House of Delegates. She also credited Fairfax County supervisors Walter Alcorn, Jimmy Bierman, Kathy Smith, and Rodney Lusk for opposing the measure, noting that Lusk played a key role in blocking it last year.

Developer Comstock has provided major financial backing for casino legislation, donating 105,000 dollars to Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears and 100,000 dollars to Democrat Abigail Spanberger through its political action committee and its CEO. Neither candidate has publicly commented on the proposal.

Martino said polling commissioned by opponents revealed widespread disapproval across the county, though Surovell has cited separate surveys suggesting some public support.

During the webinar, several speakers questioned the casino’s projected benefits. Surovell has claimed the project could bring in 1.2 billion dollars in annual revenue and 232 million dollars in state taxes, but Andy Pavord, CEO of the Federal Consulting Alliance, argued those estimates were unrealistic.

“That’s a lot of money, and second, what will be the cost?” Pavord said, describing the proposal as “a very risky bet.”

Pavord added that the national casino market has plateaued, struggling with competition from online gambling and sports betting:

“This is not a growth industry. The money spent in the casino is the money that is not spent in other businesses.”

Traffic and public safety were recurring concerns. Sally Horn, representing the Greater Tysons Citizens Coalition, noted that Tysons already experiences some of the nation’s worst congestion and estimated a casino could attract 25,000 visitors daily. She dismissed claims that commuters would rely on Metro services.

“Most gamblers won’t take it. They won’t risk carrying cash or winnings on public transit.”

Horn also pointed to evidence linking casinos to increased crime and addiction. “There is a clear and well-documented correlation between higher public safety risks and casinos,” she said, adding that gambling addiction in Virginia continues to rise and can be as severe as substance abuse.

Wage issues were another topic of concern. Horn said most casino and hospitality workers in the region earn below 30 dollars per hour, which is under the local living wage. “The promise of permanent jobs paying a living wage in Fairfax County is basically inconsistent with the wages and salaries paid in the casino and hospitality industries already in our region,” she added.

The coalitions plan to continue their advocacy by meeting with lawmakers directly when the General Assembly reconvenes next year. They have also been invited to present their concerns during a Joint Subcommittee meeting on October 20 in Richmond, where legislators will study the framework for the proposed Virginia Gaming Commission.

The post Two Fairfax County Coalitions Unite Against Proposed Tysons Casino appeared first on iGaming.org.