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Reston Today
By the People, for the People
Fairfax County Casino Bill Vetoed By Gov. Spanberger
The governor's veto blocks a bill that would have let Fairfax County leaders consider a casino referendum tied to a Tysons site.
Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:19pm
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The governor’s veto casts a long shadow over Fairfax County’s casino ambitions.Reston TodayGov. Abigail Spanberger has vetoed Senate Bill 756, which would have allowed Fairfax County leaders to consider putting a casino referendum before voters. The bill was focused on a potential casino site along the Silver Line in Tysons, drawing sharp reactions from nearby communities. While the bill did not directly approve a casino, it would have opened the door for county officials to advance the issue locally. With the governor's veto, that path is now cut off.
Why it matters
The proposed casino legislation was a contentious issue in Fairfax County, with supporters touting the potential for new tax revenue and jobs, while opponents raised concerns about increased traffic, community impacts, and social costs tied to gambling. The governor's veto effectively ends the current legislative push for a Tysons-area casino, at least through this particular bill.
The details
Senate Bill 756 was approved by the Virginia General Assembly on March 14 and would have allowed Fairfax County leaders to consider whether to put a casino referendum before voters. The bill specified that any proposed casino site had to be located within a quarter-mile of an existing Silver Line Metro station, part of a mixed-use development of at least 1.5 million square feet, within two miles of a regional mall of at least 1.5 million square feet, and outside the I-495 Beltway - effectively limiting the location to Tysons.
- The bill was approved by the Virginia General Assembly on March 14, 2026.
- Gov. Spanberger vetoed the bill on April 9, 2026.
The players
Gov. Abigail Spanberger
The governor of Virginia who vetoed Senate Bill 756.
Comstock Holding Companies
A Reston-based developer that spent over $3.5 million on lobbying and political contributions to push the casino legislation through the General Assembly.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
The county's governing body, which has come out in opposition to the proposed casino project and voted to add language to the county's 2026 Legislative Program expressing opposition to any legislation that would pave the way for a casino in Tysons.
What’s next
It's unclear whether Comstock and its allies would reintroduce the legislation during the 2027 legislative session.
The takeaway
The governor's veto effectively ends the current legislative push for a Tysons-area casino, at least through this particular bill. The issue highlighted the ongoing tensions in Fairfax County over the potential impacts of a casino development, with supporters touting economic benefits and opponents raising concerns about community effects.
