The casino proposal in Tysons, backed by Comstock Companies, has split opinions among lawmakers and the public in Northern Virginia. For it to move forward, the legislature must approve it as it is not part of the state’s approved locations, and the governor must sign it into law.

Then, residents would have the final word through a referendum.

Hashmi and Rouse Back Referendum; Stoney Opposed

Hashmi won the race with a slim margin over former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and state Sen. Aaron Rouse. Both Rouse and Hashmi support a potential referendum, while Stoney opposes it.

Stoney’s stance is perhaps shaped by his mayoral term, during which he pushed for a Richmond casino. However, residents there rejected it twice through a referendum.

Meanwhile, Hashmi and Rouse have supported the project and voted in favor of it earlier this year. The support could be attributed to the fact that both received donations from Comstock, the developer of the Tysons proposal.

Background: Virginia’s Casino Law and the Petersburg Addition

In 2020, Virginia lawmakers voted to permit five retail casinos in select locations that would benefit from their presence. Fairfax County, where Tysons is located, was not included in the original law.

Voters in four of the chosen locations — Norfolk, Danville, Portsmouth, and Bristol — approved the casinos. Meanwhile, those in Richmond rejected the idea. That led lawmakers to search for a fifth location, settling on Petersburg.

As the Petersburg process was ongoing, state Sen. Dave Marsden proposed legislation to include Fairfax County in the list of approved locations.

In February 2024, the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee voted to leave his 2024 proposal on the table until the 2025 legislative session.

At the same time, voters in Petersburg approved the casino proposal by Cordish Companies in the November 2024 elections. A few months later, in March, the project broke ground.

Tysons Casino Proposal Cleared Senate, Stalled in House

With Petersburg filling the fifth slot, a Tysons casino would require state lawmakers to expand the number of authorized casinos.

In early 2025, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell led the effort to introduce Senate Bill 982, which would allow for a local referendum. He cited a study that estimates the casino could generate $1.2 billion in revenue. That would result in $232 million annually for Virginia.

The proposal saw considerable opposition, including from Fairfax lawmakers, who claimed it lacked community support. Still, the Senate passed the bill with a 24-16 vote at the beginning of February. Hashmi and Rouse both voted in favor.

Once the bill crossed over to the House, it stalled. It moved through several committees, but it ran out of time as the 2025 legislative session came to a close.

Labor Support vs. Local Resistance

Surovell and other advocates see the Comstock project as a boost to the economy. Fairfax County is home to numerous office buildings and has struggled to maintain its economic stability since the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, the project, which promises to create 5,000 well-paid jobs, received support from a labor union coalition last fall.
Still, there’s significant opposition from lawmakers and various local organizations.

Local lawmakers claim that the area does not need a casino and can generate revenue in other ways. Some House delegates have also warned that they will shelve future proposals. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has also argued against the potential benefit to the local community.

Community organizations, such as the No Fairfax Casino Coalition and Rescue Reston, have labeled the casino a threat to the community.

Meanwhile, the town of Vienna, located approximately one mile from the potential site, passed a resolution opposing the project due to concerns over its impact on traffic and family life.

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Signalling the casino proposal’s second rejection after it previously fell through with a 51 per cent vote against in 2021, the Richmond Grand Casino & Resort would have seen Urban One and Churchill Downs construct and operate the $1.3bn resort in the southside of the city. 

Witnessing the downfall of its second Richmond casino referendum, Richmond Wins, Vote Yes, responded:  “We are proud to have run a community-centred campaign to create more opportunities for residents of this great city to rise into the middle class. We are grateful to the thousands of Richmonders who voted for good jobs and a stronger city, especially those in Southside who poured their hearts into this project.”

While the proposal received a larger amount of votes against this time round, the campaigners had been eager to have the venue approved in hopes that a casino resort in the city’s south side would see the area benefit from economic growth. 

With Virginian casinos currently operating in Bristol, Portsmouth and Danville, Richmond’s Mayor Levar Stoney supported the declined project early, acknowledging the economic impact witnessed in Bristol after its Hard Rock casino opened in July 2022. 

Stoney stated: “I will continue to be a voice for communities that have been historically overlooked and underserved. I will work for more accessible and affordable child care, for good paying jobs, and for an abundance of opportunities for all Richmonders – no matter their zip code or socioeconomic status.”

In addition to those aforementioned Virginia locations, a fourth establishment is under construction in Norfolk. Each of these venues have been launched in response to the state’s General Assembly legalisation of land-based gaming in 2020. 

While many had planned for Richmond to be the latest destination for a casino resort, attention may turn to another area as plans for a third referendum become increasingly unlikely.  

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This comes after Judge W. Reilly Marchant, who previously ruled to include a referendum on November’s ballot, rejected calls by charitable gaming group Good Lions to remove this from the purview of voters.

Last year, a potential $565m development was cast aside after a little over 51 per cent of voters chose to reject the One Casino + Resort, which was proposed by Urban One in partnership with Peninsula Pacific Entertainment.

The project is now being forwarded alongside Churchill Downs after the operator purchased “substantially all of the assets” of the latter in a $2.48bn agreement. 

In forwarding its challenge, Good Lions argued that should the project be approved, the charitable income that it currently receives “will either disappear entirely or be seriously undermined should the referendum move forward and be successful.”

In response, the Richmond city council suggested that this opposition “lacks standing because it does not, and cannot, assert any claim or defence that is germane to this proceeding.”

Rejecting the motion, Marchant ruled: “Arguably Good Lions’ alleged future loss of gaming revenue might be fairly traceable to the 2019 legislation of the Virginia General Assembly allowing casino gambling, but that government action is not what Good Lions seeks to challenge. 

“The intervenor moves this court to grant them leave to intervene in this matter to challenge the Council’s unconstitutional  process for selecting a vendor. 

“We look forward to sharing our vision for the project and the many citywide benefits it will deliver for all Richmonders”

Michael Kelly, spokesperson for the proposed resort casino project

“Good Lions’ challenge to the City Council’s no bid/no notice process for selecting an operator of the casino, where Good Lions does not seek to be the operator, is not a challenge of government action fairly traceable to its expected loss of revenue.” 

It is claimed that the resort would contribute $30m in total tax revenue for the city per year, as well as a one-time $26.5m payment upon passage and 1,300 jobs. 

The casino would feature a hotel with live entertainment and conference venues, dining options, gaming facilities with slot games, table games, a sportsbook and green spaces. 

Responding to this latest ruling, Michael Kelly, spokesperson for the proposed resort casino project, commented: “We’re glad this matter is now resolved. 

“This resort and entertainment complex will be one of the largest private sector investments in the city of Richmond in decades, creating 1,300 good paying jobs and $30m in annual tax revenue to invest in a stronger city, all without a single penny of tax breaks, incentives, or public funds. 

“We look forward to sharing our vision for the project and the many citywide benefits it will deliver for all Richmonders.”

Richmond is the final of five cities across the state awaiting the potential go-ahead to develop a casino resort, with passage across fellow Virginian regions having previously taken place.  

Voters across Bristol, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Danville, all issued the go-ahead alongside operating partners of Hard Rock International, Pamunkey Indian Tribe, Rush Street Gaming and Caesars, respectively. Each was approved in local referenda in November 2020.

Speaking to local media, Mayor Levar Stoney stated: “I am pleased to see Judge Marchant rule in favour of the City of Richmond. If approved this November, the proposed destination resort and casino will provide 1,300 good-paying jobs and an estimated $30m in annual revenue to tackle our community’s greatest needs. 

“On top of adding to Richmond’s record development and growth, this project will change the economic trajectory of south side for years to come.”

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The venue, in addition to Bristol Casino – Future Home of Hard Rock and Rivers Casino Portsmouth, combined to generate revenue of $57.29m through July. This is 9.78 per cent ahead of June’s $52.18m.

Of the aforementioned headline figure, Rush Street Gaming came out on top with revenue of $22.35m (June: $20.53m) ahead of Caesars’ $21.4m (June: $18.95m) and Hard Rock’s $13.53m (June: $12.71m).

Breaking this down further still, it was revealed that slots contributed $41.19m (June: $38.45m) of total revenue, with table games occupying the remaining $16m (June: $13.73m).

Caesars Virginia led slots charts with revenue of $15.89m (Rivers: $14.28m & HR $11m), while Rivers came out on top in the table games rankings with $8m (Caesars: $5.51m & HR $2.51m).

According to figures released by the Virginia Lottery, tax, which stands at 18 per cent, came in at $10.3m, which was directed to the Gaming Proceeds Fund.

Of the state tax on aggregated gaming revenue, the statute specifies distributions to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund, which received 0.8 per cent of total tax at $82,506, and the Family and Children’s Trust Fund, which gained $20,626 or 0.2 per cent of tax.

Furthermore, a portion of AGR across each host locality is reserved for the Regional Improvement Commission, which benefited to the tune of $3.43m or six per cent. 

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol was issued a licence by the Virginia Lottery Board in April 2022, and subsequently became the first of four venues to debut within the state after swinging open its doors on July 8.

The venue, which features 908 slots, 29 tables, and a sportsbook, will eventually make way for a permanent venue.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, when complete, will be approximately 300,000 square feet featuring 1,300 slots, 50 table games, a sportsbook, multiple dining options, including a signature Hard Rock Cafe and Council Oak Steaks and Seafood, Rock Shop, Hard Rock Live entertainment venue, authentic music memorabilia, and more. 

Rivers Casino Portsmouth was approved in November 2022 and opened its doors to the public on January 23, with guests able to access the casino’s 1,418 slot machines, 81 table games, 24 poker tables and array of onsite dining and entertainment options.

Caesars Entertainment swung open the doors to Virginia’s third casino establishment during May 2023., with the Danville venue following in the footsteps of Hard Rock in Bristol and Rush Street Gaming in Portsmouth.

The 40,000 square foot venue includes 767 slot machines, 25 table games that comprise the likes of blackjack, roulette and baccarat, alongside self-service sports betting kiosks and a trio of food and beverage outlets.

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This saw the state’s first gaming facility, named Bristol Casino – Future Home of Hard Rock, and Rivers Casino Portsmouth, record revenue of $35.4m through the 30-day time frame.

Breaking this figure down, it was revealed that slots contributed $25.12m of that figure, with table games occupying the remaining $10.25m.

According to figures released by the Virginia Lottery, tax, which stands at 18 per cent, generated $6.36m. Of this, $4.18m was paid to the Gaming Proceeds Fund.

Of the state tax on aggregated gaming revenue, the statute specifies distributions to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund, which received 0.8 per cent of total tax at $50,933, and the Family and Children’s Trust Fund, which gained $12,733 or 0.2 per cent of tax.

For the Bristol casino, a portion of tax that is reserved for the host locality goes to the Regional Improvement Commission, which benefited to the tune of $2.12m or six per cent of AGR. 

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol was issued a licence by the Virginia Lottery Board in April 2022, and subsequently became the first of four venues to debut within the state after swinging open its doors on July 8.

The venue, which features 870 slots, 21 tables, and a sportsbook, will eventually make way for a permanent venue.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, when complete, will be approximately 300,000 square feet featuring 1,300 slots, 50 table games, a sportsbook, multiple dining options, including a signature Hard Rock Cafe and Council Oak Steaks and Seafood, Rock Shop, Hard Rock Live entertainment venue, authentic music memorabilia, and more. 

Rivers Casino Portsmouth was approved in November 2022 and opened its doors to the public on January 23, with guests able to access the casino’s 1,446 slot machines, 57 table games, 24 poker tables and array of onsite dining and entertainment options.

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Joining the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, which received its licence in April 2022 and subsequently opened the doors of its temporary facility in July 2022, Rivers Portsmouth Gaming received approval for licensure by a 7-0 vote. 

“The gaming landscape in Virginia continues to evolve and the Lottery Board is committed to ensuring that casinos in the Commonwealth are operated responsibly, fairly and with the utmost integrity,” stated Virginia Lottery Board’s Chair, Ferhan Hamid. 

“While not all Virginians will choose to visit these facilities, all of our citizens need to be confident that they are regulated with the very highest standards.”

The approval comes after a comprehensive review of application materials submitted by Rivers Portsmouth Gaming and an extensive background investigation by the Virginia Lottery.

Under legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2020, the Virginia Lottery licences and regulates casinos and sports betting in the Commonwealth.

The Lottery continues to review application materials for two more proposed casinos in Danville and Norfolk. All four were approved by voters in local referendums in November 2020.

“The Lottery’s Gaming Compliance Department and legal counsel assisted in today’s decision by conducting investigations and background checks on the applicants,” added Virginia Lottery’s Executive Director, Kelly Gee. 

“The Lottery works with all casino applicants, their vendors and employees to make sure all aspects of the operation are in strict compliance with Virginia law.”

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Bristol Casino – Future Home of Hard Rock, which was one of four establishments vying to debut first within the state, also paid out a total of $33.77m to patrons after officially opening on July 8 following a pair of soft opening events on July 5 and 7.

Slots was the dominant division with players wagering $34.57m and winning $31.22m, with table games’ winnings closing at $2.54m after $2.93m was wagered, according to figures released by the Virginia Lottery Board.

Adjusted gaming revenue at the venue, which features 870 slots, 21 tables, and a sportsbook, came in at $3.74m, made up of $3.34m and $396,085 from slots and table games, respectively. 

Tax, which stands at 18 per cent, closed at $673,928, with slots contributing $602,633 versus the $71,295 generated from tables.

Hard Rock donated the gaming proceeds from the two soft openings to the United Charities of Bristol, with it said that the group has identified 46 Virginia based companies and 45 small, minority and women-owned businesses for potential business. 

Currently there are three other land-based casino developments proceeding in Virginia, those being across Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Danville, the operating partners of which are Rush Street Gaming, Pamunkey Indian Tribe, and Caesars, respectively. 

Monthly meetings regarding items such as licensing, floor plans and overall construction progress are ongoing with all three, with dealer school training to begin at the former during the week of August 9.

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe, which is developing the $500m HeadWaters Resort & Casino, anticipates opening a temporary building as early as March of 2023, with Caesars Danville expected to open during 2024.

Earlier this year, a Circuit Court judge in the Virginian capital of Richmond gave the city’s revived casino proposal a huge shot in the arm, after granting permission for a second referendum to be held.

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Having previously debuted the sportsbook in Colorado in September 2021, 888 is aiming to offer a ‘unique proposition’ to Virginia sports fans, combining 888’s proprietary technology alongside SI’s noticeable brand. 

Purpose built for the US market, the SI Sportsbook offers a range of wagering opportunities which includes enhanced play-in markets powered by official data from sports leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR and the English Premier League. 

Howard Mittman, President of 888 US, commented: “We are delighted to launch SI Sportsbook in Virginia. Following the success of its debut launch in Colorado last September, this is an important milestone for both ourselves and our partners. 

“With its growing base of sports betting fans, we believe that Virginia will play a significant role in the continued development of SI Sportsbook over the coming months.”

As part of the launch, 888 has partnered with Virginia-based company Virtual Entertainment Partners LLC, a Small, Woman and Minority-owned company which alongside 888, aims to make contributions to minority communities across the state to drive value, opportunity and diversity. 

Furthermore, 888 plans to expand its in-house SI Sportsbook to further states in the coming months, continuing to integrate tools and feeds to SI’s digital content. 

Mittman concluded: “Expanding further in the US market is an important part of our ambition to become a global online betting and gaming leader, and we look forward to introducing the brand to players across the state.”

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Scheduled to open its doors in July, Hard Rock Sportsbook will soon have a physical presence in the Old Dominion state, as the Bristol Casino is expected to create over 600 new jobs. 

“We’re excited to expand Hard Rock Sportsbook to Virginia and proud to offer more gaming options on the sports Virginians love on our easy-to-use mobile platform,” said Marlon Goldstein, Executive Managing Director & CEO for Hard Rock Digital. 

“We’re looking forward to the opening of our retail sportsbook in Bristol this July and providing Virginia sports fans with an unparalleled integrated entertainment experience.”

Following Arizona, Virginia is the second state with the Hard Rock Sportsbook platform, which includes more sports to bet live, same-game parlays, new reward features and additional deposit methods.

“We can’t wait to welcome sports fans from across the region to our retail sportsbook location in Bristol,” added Allie Evangelista, President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol.

“The Hard Rock Sportsbook mobile app will be an extension of our Bristol property, allowing sports fans to continue their legendary entertainment experience throughout Virginia.”

The Hard Rock Sportsbook mobile app is available for download through the App Store or the Google PlayStore and can be utilised by fans physically located within Arizona and Virginia. 

Moreover, Hard Rock Sportsbook also serves fans online in New Jersey and Iowa through the Hard Rock Sports & Casino NJ and the Hard Rock Sportsbook Iowa apps, respectively.

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In January it was revealed that lawmakers were to be requested to schedule a second referendum regarding the potential construction, in a move spearheaded by Mayor Levar Stoney and Councilwoman Leva Trammell.

However, despite Circuit Court Judge W Reilly Marchant accepting the plea, local media reports that the joy could be short-lived as nearby Petersburg makes its own casino play 

This could see the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission petitioned to conduct a study to assess the viability of a Petersberg gaming establishment, a move that would effectively block Richmond from proceeding.  

Should Richmond proceed to a second referendum in November of this year, the question on the ballot that would be facing voters would read: Shall casino gaming be permitted at a casino gaming establishment in the city of Richmond, Virginia, at 2001 Walmsley Boulevard and 4700 Trenton Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, 23234 as may be approved by the Virginia Lottery Board?

“This special economic development opportunity in south Richmond gives the city an additional way to address equity and community wealth gaps,” Stoney said in a prepared statement regarding this latest development. 

“As the city continues to work on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the casino project can assist with levelling the playing field for many Richmonders who continue to struggle during these uncertain and unprecedented times.”

The resolution to resurrect Urban One’s One Casino Resort passed through city council by a vote of 8-1 earlier in the year.

Patrons for the resolution included President Cynthia Newbille, Vice President Ellen Robertson, Councilman Michael Jones, Councilwoman Ann-Frances Lambert, and Councilman Andreas Addison, as well as Trammell and Stoney.

One Casino + Resort was proposed by Urban One in partnership with Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, which owns and operates several casinos, as well as Colonial Downs Racetrack and Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums in Virginia.   

The proposal included plans to construct a sportsbook, 90,000 square feet of gaming, 150 hotel rooms, a 3,000 capacity theatre, 12 bars and restaurants, 20,000 square feet of event space, and a 50 plus acre green space initiative.

The company had previously defeated an array of fellow proposals for the right to be the selected participant, including the Cordish Companies’ $600m Live! Casino & Hotel Richmond, after Bally’s Corporation’s $650m Bally’s Richmond Casino Resort, which were rejected in April 2021.

This itself followed the field being halved one month earlier, when Golden Nugget, Wind Creek Hospitality, and Pamunkey Indian Tribe & Reservation were named as those not advancing to the next round of consideration.

In November, Urban One accepted defeat in its quest to develop a $565m casino resort in Richmond, which became the only one of five areas within the state to reject such a construction.

Currently there are four land-based casino developments proceeding in Virginia, those being across Bristol, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Danville, the operating partners of which are Hard Rock International, Pamunkey Indian Tribe, Rush Street Gaming, and Caesars, respectively. Each was approved in local referenda in November 2020.

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