A contentious Virginia bill that would open up the possibility for a major casino-anchored entertainment district in Tysons passed its first legislative hurdle Monday. But it has a long way to go, with some county leaders reiterating past concerns about how much, or how little, the county would share in the spoils.
SB-982, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Mount Vernon, on Jan. 20 passed out of the Senate General Laws Committee’s gaming subcommittee 5-2 with one abstention. It now goes to the full committee Wednesday, and, if it passes, to the Senate Finance Committee, where a similar bill died last year.
If it becomes law, Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors and residents would still need to approve a specific casino project, including through a countywide referendum. Those local hurdles will prove the ultimate test, as local support has so far been muted.
