Key players in the legislative battle over Senate Bill 756, titled "Casino gaming; eligible host localities," weighed in with statements April 9 following Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s veto of the legislative vehicle to authorize a casino in Fairfax County by offering a referendum for the county to hold.
The veto effectively halts this year’s effort to bring a gambling hub to Tysons, sparking a divide between state leadership and local officials. While the governor’s decision was hailed by county leadership as a victory for local authority, proponents argued it was a missed economic opportunity for Northern Virginia.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, said, “I am deeply disappointed by Governor Spanberger's veto of SB 756. This bill was Northern Virginia labor's number one legislative priority — supported by every major building trades union in the region — and it carried the endorsement of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. … While we stood still, Maryland ran. The Sphere — one of the most iconic and transformative entertainment venues in the world — is going to MGM National Harbor, not Tysons."
Surovell added that the bill "was a permission slip, not a mandate" and that "Fairfax voters would have had the final say. Instead, that choice has been taken away from them by the stroke of a pen.”
Jeff McKay, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, released a statement the same day as did the No Fairfax Casino Coalition regarding Spanberger’s veto. On behalf of the board and more than 1 million county residents, McKay said, "I would like to thank Governor Spanberger for her veto of SB 756, also known as the casino bill. ... [which] demonstrates the Governor's respect for local authority." He noted the governor provided the "opportunity to outline the Board of Supervisors' and our residents' concerns," and that "residents have been clear in their overwhelming opposition to a casino in Fairfax County."
The No Fairfax Casino Coalition commended Spanberger for vetoing the bill. “Governor Spanberger made the right decision,” the coalition said. Steering committee chair Lynne Mulston praised the veto for rejecting a "special carveout" for Tysons, saying the decision protects public trust and sound governance. The coalition noted the casino's economic benefits were unverified and lacked independent proof. "The legislation offered unverified fiscal assumptions and questionable economic benefits while ignoring likely added costs ... [and] genuine local input."
The next morning, Mulston shared "a few thoughts" with the Connection. Mulston called Surovell’s persistence "disappointing" and noted his "continued reliance on revenue projections that have no credible evidentiary foundation." The coalition added that they "support a vibrant entertainment district for Northern Virginia," but "a world-class entertainment destination does not require a casino," and that the "long term plan for Tysons and Fairfax County should not be ignored."
