Revised Tysons Casino Bill Sent To Governor To Sign: Update

Updated: 8:15 p.m.

RICHMOND, VA — Virginia lawmakers approved a revised Tysons casino bill Saturday, and sent it to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), who may sign, amend or veto it.

The newly adopted version follows the enacted legislation that currently affects Virginia's five existing casinos in terms of the parameters for operation and for enacting or passing a referendum, according to Del. Rodney Willett (D-Henrico), who presented the report to the house.

The revised bill also removes the July 1, 2029 time limit for the referendum and returns final approval of a casino to Fairfax County voters, according to Willett.

The bill went through multiple changes in recent days.

The Virginia House of Delegates voted 55 to 41 on Saturday to adopt a second conference report on the Fairfax County casino bill, stripping the requirement for a temporary casino and keeping the proposed location of the casino in Tysons.

On Friday night, the Virginia Senate approved a first conference report on Senate Bill 756, introducing significant new oversight mechanisms, specific regional financial structures, and temporary licensing processes.

On Saturday, the two houses of the General Assembly went into a second conference and produced a new bill, which was adopted by the House shortly before 6 p.m.

The Senate then voted 25-13 to pass the revised bill and send it to the governor.

The Friday night version of the bill introduced the authority for a temporary casino to operate for up to five years if it were approved by the state's Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission. That provision was removed in the second conference report passed by both houses on Saturday.

The bill the Senate adopted on Friday night reinstalled the provision designating Tysons as the location of the proposed casino. That provision remains in the version of the bill heading to the governor's desk.

Shortly after Saturday's vote was taken, Fairfax County Board Chair Jeff McKay (D-At-Large) released the following statement:

"I’ve been engaged in discussions upon learning of surprise language out of the Virginia Senate conference report, attempting to force a casino in Tysons.

"To be clear, this language was written by pro casino advocates in the General Assembly — led by Fairfax’s own Senator Surovell. This was done out of the public’s view and would have imposed a casino on Fairfax County and its residents.

"Equally alarming, this would have been the first casino in Virginia to ignore local government’s long standing land use authority allowing a by-right casino in Tysons. Effectively, keeping our residents and their local elected officials out of the decision making process.

"Thankfully the entire Fairfax County House delegation saw right through this power grab and rejected the conference report. The House ultimately approved a bill that still raises serious concerns, but retains some local authority.

"I would like to thank Speaker Scott and the Fairfax County House delegation for their leadership in protecting residents voices. I will continue to fight any and all efforts to jam a casino in Tysons."

The full text of the second conference report was not immediately available. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.