On Tuesday, December 9th, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors held a vote to establish their opinion on a Tysons Corner casino. The board members voted 5-4 in opposition to the casino. While the board’s vote did not shut down the prospect altogether, it does mean that they will oppose any future plans for the casino. 

Over the past couple of years, plans have floated around the Tysons area for a Las Vegas-style casino. Proponents of the casino say that it would have major positive impacts on the local economy, bringing in new sources of revenue. 

Opponents, however, say that the casino would establish a different commercial tone than what locals want. One member of the board said, “We can’t have business decisions where a company goes: ‘Oh, there’s a casino in Tysons, so we don’t want to locate our business in Tysons.’” There are also concerns that the revenue would go to the Virginia Commonwealth as a whole as opposed to the local community surrounding Tysons. 

Multiple polls from local residents show that they would oppose this legislation. In fact, there is even a website highlighting grassroots movements in resistance to the casino.

“A casino will hurt local businesses, increase gridlock and public safety problems, lower property values, and encourage risky behaviors, while forever changing the character of our community,” the website states.

The next Virginia General Assembly legislative session begins on January 14th, during which further voting and negotiations on the plans will take place. This vote means that the Fairfax County portion of this assembly will oppose any casino plans in the future.  

Tysons is a popular spot for Potomac students, and this casino could forever change the atmosphere of both Tysons and our surrounding community.