Spanberger Vetoes Fairfax Casino Bill, Citing Local Opposition

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has vetoed a bill that would have pushed Fairfax County closer to hosting a casino in Tysons Corner, saying the measure ignored local opposition and raised concerns about how gambling is regulated across the state.

The proposed law would have required the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to move forward with a public referendum on a casino, even though the board has already made clear it does not support the idea. Spanberger said that step would have broken with how casino projects have been handled elsewhere in Virginia, where local leaders have taken the lead.

“Local governing boards should lead on proposed casino development, as has happened in every locality that now has a casino,” Spanberger said. She noted that leaders in Fairfax County, along with most state lawmakers representing the area, opposed the plan.

Since Virginia first allowed casinos in 2020, projects have moved forward only in areas where local officials and voters have shown strong support. In each case, city leaders asked the state for permission to hold a referendum, giving residents the final say. Spanberger said the Fairfax proposal would have flipped that process by forcing a vote even without local backing.

The governor also raised concerns about another part of the bill that would have allowed state lawmakers to decide exactly where a casino could be built. She said that level of detail is usually left to local governments and developers.

“In no other circumstance has the General Assembly prescribed specifications for a casino’s location,” Spanberger said, warning that the move would limit community input.

Beyond the Fairfax debate, Spanberger used her veto to highlight a broader issue: the rapid growth of legalized gambling in Virginia. Over the past few years, the state has added casinos, sports betting, and other forms of gaming. But the governor said oversight has not kept pace.

She renewed her call for a single, independent agency to oversee all gaming in Virginia. Right now, different types of gambling are regulated by different groups, which she said can lead to confusion and gaps in oversight.

“A unified regulatory structure is essential to ensuring transparency, accountability, safety, and public confidence,” Spanberger said.

Supporters of the Fairfax casino had argued it could bring new jobs and tax revenue to Northern Virginia. Opponents, including many local leaders, said it could increase traffic, strain public services, and change the area’s character.

With the veto, the proposal is effectively halted unless lawmakers choose to override it, which is unlikely without broad support.

For now, the decision keeps control over casino development in the hands of local governments, while setting the stage for a larger debate in Richmond about how,  and how much, gambling should grow in Virginia.

The Governor’s official veto statement for Senate Bill 756:

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.