On March 9, 2026, the Virginia Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee voted to move the HB 271 iGaming bill, which means that the legalization of online casino gaming...
Fairfax County casino bill moves to Governor Spanberger
On March 13, 2026, the Virginia State Senate approved a substitute for Senate Bill 756, which would let a casino temporarily operate in Fairfax County for up to five years or until a permanent operator is chosen.
The version of the bill that passed the Virginia House of Delegates in early March 2026 was changed before being approved by the Virginia State Senate, but the temporary casino bill hasn’t yet passed the House, as noted by Senator Scott Surovell.
The bill is currently sitting on the desk of Governor Abigail Spanberger, awaiting her to either sign, amend, or veto it. Additionally, the bill presented to the Governor doesn’t include a temporary casino.
If the bill is approved for a permanent casino, then the tax revenue would be split between state and local governments; however, it will be earmarked for Fairfax County K-12 public schools.
The legislation limits the casino to being built in a 1.5-million-square-foot development close to the Silver Line metro station and within two miles of a regional mall, which means it will be restricted to the Tysons area.
Supervisor Walter Alcorn, of the Hunter Mill district, criticized:
“This is not a casino we asked for. We don’t want it, and it’s unfortunate the General Assembly has moved forward with this. But we’re hopeful the governor will veto it.”
Governor Spanberger hasn’t yet announced her decision about signing the bill, but a campaign pushing her to veto it has already started. Her office stated that she will review the bill, taking into consideration the openness to casinos in the past, if a state gaming commission is created.
On January 28, 2026, the Virginia House of Delegates voted 94-3 to ban the use of credit cards for online sports betting in the state, sending the bill to the Senate.
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