Casino Update

Jan. 22, 2024

Neighbors,

I provided information to you last week that State Senator David Marsden submitted bill SB 675 to add Fairfax County to the list of localities eligible to host a casino in the Commonwealth and other casino-related specifications. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology, and a subcommittee addressing casino and gaming issues is scheduled with SB 675 on the docket tomorrow (January 23) afternoon. (Note: The specific time is unknown since other meetings need to adjourn first and this particular bill is lower on the docket, so it will likely be late afternoon or the discussion might even be postponed until next week.) The bill can still be revised or amended by legislators as it moves through the committee process. If the bill is approved by the subcommittee, it will still need to clear the full General Laws and Technology Committee and then would go to the Senate floor for a vote.

There has been a lot of conversation in our community regarding a casino, and I have heard from many residents expressing concerns. There has been some excellent coverage in the local media including the Patch story this morning disclosing various attempts to grease the skids in Richmond. Such news reinforces my opposition to a casino along the Silver Line. 

Thank you for your engagement and input and I will continue to keep you updated as more information is available.

Links for tomorrow’s subcommittee meeting:

Senate Live Streaming Launch Page: https://virginia-senate.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3

Senate Subcommittee Docket: https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?241+sub+S120010123

Regards,

Walter