A bill that would allow a referendum on casinos in Virginia's northern suburbs cleared a hurdle Wednesday when a state Senate committee voted to advance the bill.
The bill would allow Fairfax County to hold a referendum on whether to put a casino, convention center and concert hall in Tysons Corner, in the heart of one of the nation's wealthiest suburbs.
The yes vote came despite opposition from civic groups and homeowners associations in the area surrounding the proposed casino. Several senators said they had received hundreds of emails and letters opposing the plan.
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But supporters say the bill simply allows county residents to decide for themselves whether to allow casinos. They also point out that the county Board of Supervisors would also have to approve the referendum.
The bill now goes to the Senate Finance Committee for another review. It then needs to pass the full Senate, then the House of Delegates, and finally be signed by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. David Marsden (D-Fairfax), said casinos would help diversify tax sources for counties that have traditionally been the state's economic engine and cash cow. Ta. But he said the post-pandemic economy has hit the county particularly hard, and office space once filled with federal contractors who wanted to be physically close to the capital is now filled with many said he was available because he was working remotely.
Friends celebrate a birthday at Bristol Casino on September 19, 2022 in Bristol, Virginia. The Virginia Senate General Law Technical Committee recently voted in favor of a bill that would allow Fairfax County to hold a casino referendum. Tysons Corner Convention Center and Concert Hall. (Mike Bellem of The Washington Post via Getty Images)
“Northern Virginia is the canary in the coal mine of how our economy is changing, and we need this support,” Marsden said during Tuesday's subcommittee hearing.
The Senate General Law Technical Committee voted Wednesday with 10 votes in favor, four against, and one abstention.
In 2020, Virginia voted to allow locations in five cities subject to referendum. Bristol, Danville, Portsmouth and Norfolk all voted in favor of casinos. Richmond voters have twice rejected proposed casinos in the city.
Another bill that passed out of committee Wednesday would allow Petersburg to hold a casino referendum instead of Richmond.
Marsden said allowing a casino in Northern Virginia would provide geographic diversity and equity. Legislative studies also show that casinos in Northern Virginia could generate more tax revenue than anywhere else.
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He also said the Northern Virginia location draws gamblers from wealthy Maryland suburbs such as Potomac and Bethesda, and that Northern Virginia residents are now driving across the Potomac River to MGM's huge casino in National, Maryland. He said Virginia could recoup some of the money currently flowing out of the state. Port.
Opponents have raised concerns about traffic and crime. The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce supports this bill.
Also Wednesday, the committee voted to support a bill that would allow online sportsbooks to place bets on games involving in-state universities.
