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The Virginia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 756 on Saturday, clearing the way for a potential casino in Tysons Corner. The passage capped a three-year, $3.5 million lobbying campaign by developer Comstock Holding Companies. It ignited a fierce backlash from local politicians and residents who would live next to the casino.

The bill now sits on Governor Abigail Spanberger’s desk. Her signature will allow for a referendum, in which residents will have the final say.

A Bill Years in the Making

The casino bill didn’t come out of thin air. Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, a Democrat who represents Fairfax, led the legislation, marking the third consecutive session that Richmond has considered the proposal.

Comstock Holding Companies, a Reston-based developer, has stood behind the plans the entire time, bringing a very specific vision for Tysons and the financial firepower to make it happen.

Developers propose an 11.5-million-square-foot mixed-use complex that includes a casino, convention center, and entertainment district. They plan to build it near the Silver Line Metro station just outside the Beltway.

According to financial filings with the Virginia Department of Elections, Comstock and its associated entities have spent more than $3.5 million on lobbyists and political contributions since 2023 to advance the casino legislation.

In the 2026 session alone, ten lobbyists registered on the firm’s behalf with the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Council. The company, led by CEO Christopher Clemente, released conceptual renderings of the planned development last year.

Surovell ranks among the lawmakers who have received money from Comstock, with contributions directly from Comstock totalling $204,566 since September 2024 and $120,000 from the firm’s political action committee, named ‘Building a Remarkable Virginia’, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

That makes Comstock one of his biggest campaign contributors. Surovell has explained that his support stems from his long-time backing of casino gambling, which he has supported since entering the General Assembly in 2010.

Lawmakers passed the bill through both chambers on Saturday, with a 25-13 vote in the Senate and 55-41 in the House after emerging from a conference committee. However, those final tallies don’t reflect the turbulent journey the bill took in its final hours before the votes, a process that left local officials outraged.

Last Minute Amendment

As the Virginia legislative session ended on Saturday, legislators put their final touches on proceedings late on Friday night.

The Virginia Senate introduced a last-minute substitute bill that significantly rewrote the terms of the casino proposal, alarming Fairfax officials more than any other development over the past three years. The provision marked a significant departure from Virginia’s existing casino approval process.

The amended bill included a provision allowing a temporary casino to operate in Tysons for up to 5 years without a local referendum. This move came despite the requirement that residents approve all five of Virginia’s existing casinos through a vote.

Instead, the state’s Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission would approve the temporary casino. Once the commission authorized the project, the county would then have to issue permits to the developers.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay issued a furious late-night statement signed by all nine Democrats on the board.

“It is bad enough to disrespect the wishes of Fairfax County voters,” McKay wrote, “worse to do so in a way that undermines planned development in one of the economic drivers of the entire Commonwealth.”

McKay later called the episode “the least transparent thing I’ve ever seen” and said it was “no way to do business.” The Fairfax County House delegation ultimately removed the temporary casino provisions from the bill before its passage on Saturday.

However, McKay acknowledged that this only brought the county “back to where we started” with a bill that the board still didn’t want.

Ignoring the Wishes of Residents

When the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, anger filled the room. McKay told colleagues that the move was “absolutely a direct attack on local government.” Several supervisors openly criticized Fairfax-area state legislators who voted in favor of the bill.

Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman said he was “really sad that the people of Fairfax County were sold out by their own.” He also argued that lawmakers wrote the bill to “benefit a specific developer at the expense of the many.”

Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik echoed those concerns. Her district covers most of Tysons, including the proposed casino site. She argued that the plan benefits a single developer while ignoring the voices of residents and the board. Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert has called on Governor Spanberger to veto the bill.

A Disagreement Over Tysons’ Future

A key issue in the dispute centers on disagreement over Tysons’ economic health and what can improve its future.

Surovell argues that Tysons has struggled to attract development, that office vacancies remain above the national average, and that Fairfax County needs to diversify its tax base to protect funding for education and public services.

A feasibility study projects that the casino could generate about $62 million in annual tax revenue. Labor groups also support the project, saying it could create over 5,000 jobs. Surovell told an Axios reporter that he hasn’t heard any alternative proposals to grow the county and argued that neighboring jurisdictions are moving ahead.

Local officials have pushed back on the narrative. The Tysons Community Alliance released a market report on March 13 showing that retail visits now exceed 2019 levels, that several housing projects are under construction, and that office vacancy rates align with the national average for five consecutive quarters.

McKay told supervisors on Tuesday that Tysons already provides key funding to the state.

Questions About the Next Move

Governor Spanberger has until 11:59 on April 13 to sign the bill. Even if she signs it into law, officials will still need a countywide referendum before any construction can begin.

A poll conducted last year found that 75% of Fairfax County residents oppose the proposal. Opinions remain especially strong in and around Tysons. Nearly nine in ten respondents said a casino would worsen traffic congestion, and 76% believe Virginia already has enough gambling options.

The Board of Supervisors has previously suggested it might decline to schedule the referendum. However, Virginia state law states that local government “shall” petition the Circuit Court for a referendum once officials select a preferred casino operator. In Virginia law, the word “shall” typically leaves no discretion.

Spanberger’s office said she will review the legislation and pointed to her past openness to casino proposals. However, she has also said she wants the state to create a statewide gaming commission first. A campaign has already begun urging her to veto the bill.

Whatever Spanberger decides, the battle over Tysons’ future is far from over. Caesars Entertainment, which opened a casino in Danville in 2023, has already said it would be interested in a Tysons project.

Comstock has spent $3.5 million and three years to reach this point, and the company shows no sign of backing down. The governor’s signature or veto will determine the next move. In Fairfax County, the fight now feels like the start of a much bigger debate.

Image credit: Joel D Gray via Wikimedia Commons (license)