Summary
- The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors now formally opposes any state legislation to allow a casino in Tysons.
- This is the first time the Board is explicitly stating its opposition to a casino.
- Supervisor Walter Alcorn introduced the language that makes this position clear in Fairfax County’s 2026 legislative package for the Virginia General Assembly. His amendment to the package was adopted by a 5-4 vote.
- Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn successfully introduced a motion on Tuesday to oppose state legislation to authorize a casino in Tysons.
Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn successfully introduced a motion on Tuesday to oppose state legislation to authorize a casino in Tysons.
As a result, the Board of Supervisors now explicitly opposes a casino, adopting his amendment by a 5-4 vote during their Dec. 9 meeting.
Alcorn’s Amendment to Oppose a Casino
Supervisor Alcorn’s amendment that was accepted into the county’s 2026 Legislative Program states:
“Oppose legislation in the General Assembly that authorizes a casino in Fairfax County without any request for such legislation from the Board of Supervisors, without implementation of a statewide Gaming Commission, and without a tax revenue split that substantially benefits Fairfax County as opposed to the Commonwealth. The designation and location of a casino is inherently a major land use decision and General Assembly intervention in Fairfax County’s land use processes would undermine decades of community consensus and economic success.”
Why a Casino Would Deal a Bad Hand Economically to Tysons
In presenting the amendment, Alcorn stressed that a casino threatens the area’s economic vitality.
Tysons is the economic engine for both Fairfax County and the state. Each station area along the Silver Line in Tysons already generates an average of about $30 million in local tax revenue — and even more for the state.
Based on his conversations with half a dozen major commercial property owners — who’ve cumulatively invested billions in Tysons — they said a casino would have a chilling effect on their business. It would chase away employers, residents, and investors.
"Our best chance of avoiding this Commonwealth-imposed economic hardship is to include an explicit opposition statement in our legislative package," Alcorn said in his remarks. "General Assembly intervention in Fairfax County’s land-use processes would undermine decades of community consensus and economic success in Tysons."
Why a Casino Threatens Long-Term Plans for Tysons
Not only would a casino deal an economic blow to Tysons, but also it threatens to derail the community-backed vision for the area. Fairfax County’s ambitious long-term plan calls for integrating jobs, homes and entertainment in a transit-oriented, mixed-use urban center, he said.
The previously proposed state legislation usurps the county’s land use authority by specifying where a casino should be located. Besides the fact that the community and county have never asked for a casino, this decision on where to put one should come from the community — not Richmond.
Other Reasons to Oppose a Casino
Before adopting Supervisor Alcorn’s motion to oppose a casino, the Board also unanimously voted to approve Chairman Jeff McKay’s updated letter to state lawmakers. It also lays out several additional reasons why a casino is a bad idea.