Virginia casino proposal requires local referendum
The Virginia House General Laws Committee has advanced Senate Bill 756 with a 12–7 vote, sending the measure to the Appropriations Committee for further review. Earlier this month, the bill cleared the Senate in a 23–14 vote.
Key provisions of SB 756
Introduced during the 2026 regular session by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax), SB 756 authorises the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to accept competitive bids for a casino development, potentially allowing a resort anywhere in the county. The project must be at least 1.5 million square feet and designed as a mixed-use facility, according to several local media outlets.
Other provisions include: the winning bidder would be required to pay $150 million for the Northern Virginia gaming concession, a sharp increase from the $15 million licencing fee established under Virginia’s 2020 casino law. Additionally, there is an upfront fee. Fairfax County would receive $75 million, with the remainder directed to Richmond.
Referendum requirement
Delegate Paul Krizek (D-Fairfax) introduced the proposals that were adopted by the committee, which were later incorporated into legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Scott A. Surovell.
Krizek emphasised that any casino project must be approved through a local referendum. Even if county-wide voters support the measure, each municipality must also secure majority approval. If a referendum fails, the proposal cannot be reintroduced unless tied to a new site before 1 July 2029, when SB 756’s provisions expire.
In many parts of Virginia, several localities have already approved casinos through local referendums. For instance, in 2020, residents in Bristol approved the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Other localities include Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Petersburg. Only Richmond voters rejected casino proposals twice, both in 2021 and 2023, thus preventing development.
Tax structure
Northern Virginia casinos would face a 40 percent tax on gross gaming revenue, higher than the 18–30 percent sliding scale applied to Virginia’s five existing casinos.
Under SB 756, revenue distribution include 50 percent to Fairfax County, 38 percent to the state for K–12 education infrastructure, 5 percent to problem gambling support, 5 percent to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), and 2 percent split among the Virginia Indigenous People’s Trust Fund, the Open-Space Lands Preservation Fund, and the Virginia Family and Children’s Trust Fund.
According to several media reports, when compared to other states, Virginia’s SB 756 is far above, except for Pennsylvania where it taxes slots at 54 percent and table games at 16 percent. Meanwhile, in Maryland, it ranges from 20–61 percent depending on game type. In New Jersey, it is eight percent, a number much lower, which is designed to attract operators to Atlantic City.
Industry Reaction
Major operators such as Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts have expressed caution. They warn that steep entry fees and high tax rates could discourage investment.
According to several reports, Fairfax County is the nation’s fifth-richest county with a median household income of nearly $128,000 and presents both opportunities and challenges. While its wealth signals potential spending power, residents may be less inclined to support a casino, weighing social impact against economic need.
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