Fairfax Casino Proposal Rejected by Virginia Governor

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed legislation Thursday that would allow a Las Vegas-style casino in Fairfax County. The bill passed last month despite having little support from lawmakers who represent Northern Virginia.

The bill would force Fairfax County to hold a referendum allowing voters to decide whether or not they want the casino.

Spanberger called for local decision-making on gambling and a statewide independent commission.

“Local governing boards should lead on proposed casino development, as has happened in every locality that now has a casino,” Spanberger said in a statement. “But in Fairfax County, the Board of Supervisors has explicitly opposed this legislation, and an overwhelming majority of the General Assembly members who represent Fairfax voted against it.”

“Casinos in Virginia have always been authorized to go in places where local governments have requested them, and if this bill had been approved, it would be the first time in Virginia history where the state would tell a local government to do this,” Fairfax County Board Chairman Jeff McKay said.

“The state has a lot of authority over counties already," he said. "But a fundamental responsibility local governments have always had in my lifetime has been control over land-use decisions.”

State Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax County, who backs the idea of a casino, wrote, “I will not stop … We will be back.”

The casino proposal changed in about a dozen ways in recent months but returned to where it started: with a proposed location in Tysons.

Here's Spanberger's official veto statement

"Pursuant to Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill 756 as it would strip the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors of control over the local approval process, require the county to set a referendum, and set a broader precedent.

"Per existing law, once the General Assembly decides a locality is 'eligible' for a casino regardless of the locality’s preferences, the local governing board has a non-discretionary, ministerial duty to adopt a resolution and petition the court to hold the referendum. Therefore, local governing boards should lead on proposed casino development, as has been the prior standard and process. Senate Bill 756 would effectively change this standard and eliminate local control.

"While this legislation only affects Fairfax County, it would set a precedent that could be used to bring casino referendums to other localities where the local governing boards may similarly oppose such efforts.

"Accordingly, I veto this bill."

What Northern Virginia leaders said about the proposal

"I'm ecstatic," McKay said about Spanberger's veto.

The proposal called for funds to be split 70% to the state and 30% to Fairfax County. McKay has said that wasn’t enough.

"Anything short of at least a 50-50 mix isn't even worth looking at,” he previously told News4.

“This is absolutely the best outcome that we could have hoped for,” said Lynne Mulston of No Fairfax Casino Coalition.