Virginia’s first everlasting on line casino opened this week in Portsmouth. Three extra casinos are in growth in Norfolk, Bristol, and Danville. And if two state lawmakers have their approach, a fifth gaming property may someday be licensed close to the Silver Line in Fairfax.
Virginia Sen. David Marsden within the Senate chambers in Richmond in January 2020. Marsden desires to qualify Fairfax County for a on line casino within the Commonwealth. (Picture: The New York Occasions)
Virginia’s 2020 gaming legislation allowed 5 cities — Portsmouth, Norfolk, Bristol, Danville, and Richmond — to think about on line casino tasks. These cities met a slew of financial hardships as outlined within the 2020 laws. Voters in all however Richmond subsequently handed native poll referendums authorizing casinos.
Whereas authorized efforts are underway to relocate Richmond’s on line casino license south to close by Petersburg, state Sen. David Marsden (D-Burke) and Del. Wren Williams (R-Stuart) need the state to probe permitting a on line casino in Fairfax County. Marsden and Williams launched almost equivalent payments of their respective chambers final Friday — the state’s closing day for lawmakers to file new laws for the 2023 session.
The payments every search to qualify Fairfax County as a number on line casino jurisdiction. The statutes would require that the on line casino be situated inside Fairfax correct and inside a quarter-mile of an current Silver Line station. The Silver Line is an extension of the Washington Metro rail system that lengthens from the nation’s capital into Virginia from Rosslyn in Arlington to Ashburn in Loudoun County.
2023 Lengthy Photographs
The last-minute submitting of the Fairfax on line casino payments lengthens the chances of both statute passing the Common Meeting this yr. Gaming stays extremely controversial within the commonwealth regardless of state lawmakers ending the state’s lengthy opposition to most types of industrial gaming in latest legislative classes.
Marsden conceded to the Washington Enterprise Journal that his invoice is extra of a preview of future gaming laws. He plans to introduce an identical measure in 2024 to designate Fairfax as a on line casino host.
It’s too rushed,” Marsden acknowledged. “I’m in all probability going to have to speak to the people who approached me about it. I feel it’s one thing that must be checked out, however that is simply approaching too quick.”
Marsden refused to publicly title the people and/or firms that efficiently satisfied him to draft laws for a Fairfax on line casino. Williams, whose district is within the southern a part of the state in Patrick County, additionally opted to maintain these events unnamed. However he says such a evaluation is warranted.
“From our conversations with our mates in Northern Virginia, we now have been listening to that there’s a actual want for brand new and completely different leisure choices,” Williams added. “We see that as an incredible alternative for job creation, for financial growth, and for producing income that may profit the complete commonwealth.”
Opposition Sturdy
Ought to the Fairfax on line casino proposal acquire traction within the Richmond capital this yr or subsequent, Marsden and Williams ought to anticipate heavy lobbying in opposition to the challenge.
A on line casino in Fairfax County would virtually definitely poach some play from MGM Nationwide Harbor, the $1.4 billion built-in resort throughout the Potomac River from the nation’s capital in Oxon Hill, Md.
Churchill Downs, Inc. can be within the midst of establishing a $400 million gaming resort in Dumfries. Dubbed The Rose Gaming Resort, the power alongside I-95 could be about 25 air miles from the place a on line casino in Fairfax could possibly be constructed, ought to Marsden and Williams have their approach.
The Rose isn’t technically a on line casino beneath Virginia legislation. As a substitute, the resort will function slot-like gaming machines that decide their outcomes primarily based on beforehand run horse races.
