Can We Expect a Commercial Casino in Virginia in 2024?
Fairfax County has been trying to set up a commercial casino in Virginia for quite some time now. This year as well, the officials failed to get the Senate to pass the Bill. But there are talks of bringing up the bill in the Virginia General Assembly of 2024.
So, should players in Virginia expect the bill to be passed next year? Here’s everything that we know about this.
The Latest Casino News Fairfax County
Senator David Marsden took the first shot at a casino bill for Fairfax County in January 2023. As the Gaming Law passed in 2020 allowed for economically distraught cities to set up commercial casinos, he thought it was the perfect opportunity to bring Virginia into the fold.
However, at the time, Fairfax did not meet the requirements which led to the bill being rejected. Originally, the bill was planned for setting up casinos in Reston because of the Reston Complex. But after seeing the development of real estate in Tyson, the Fairfax County Virginia news has changed.
Tysons Apartments Boom Might be the Perfect Opportunity
You know how they say real estate is all about location? Well, Tyson’s Corner could be a casino paradise in the making. As the majority of the population resides near Northern Virginia, Tysons Corner is a hub for the nearby residents of McLean, Vienna, and Fairfax. Many international companies have also set up headquarters in Tysons.
Seeing the rise of the corporate buildings, Marsden thinks that setting up a casino resort in this part of the state makes sense. And it’s not just for the big companies. The population has started to go up, thanks to the affordable apartments in Tysons Corner, which could mean more business for a casino.
Being a business hub, Tysons serves as the unofficial downtown district for Fairfax. So, the senator’s plans do make some sense. If the bill gets passed, setting up a casino in Tysons might give Fairfax the economic diversity that it’s been missing out on.
Fairfax County Rentals Program Could Have an Effect
As most people move out of the county in search of a more business-focused location, the demand for a casino in Fairfax is very low. However, it’s important to keep in mind that Fairfax is still one of the wealthiest in the nation, with an annual household income of $134K.
Then there’s the Fairfax County Rental Program. This program aims to help families with low income with housing support. As for 2023, the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority offers a portfolio of more than 2,500 different units.
This has allowed the population within the county to go up several times in the last few years. This increase in the total population might be the push that Marsden needs to get the Senate to pass the bill come 2024.
What’s Next? Keeping an Eye on 2024
Senator Marsden plans to reintroduce the bill during the Virginia General Assembly in 2024. He believes that with the recent Fairfax County economic development and the increase in population thanks to the Rental Housing program, there’s a good chance. But for now, the residents of Fairfax County will need to wait and see what happens.
