Urge Virginia Senators to vote “no” on S. 982; reject Sen. Surovell’s bill

For Immediate Release:
Contact: Diana Banister
January 22, 2025
media@fcrc.com
(703) 282-7320

Fairfax, VA – During its monthly meeting on Wednesday, the Fairfax County Republican Committee (FCRC) overwhelmingly passed a resolution condemning a Virginia State Senate bill 982 that would allow a casino complex to be opened in the Tysons Corner area. The bill passed through the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee on Monday.

Citing the increase in crime, gambling addictions, personal bankruptcies, human trafficking, and potential mental health crises among the population as well as the economic impact and costs associated with a gambling venue, the FCRC called on Senators to vote against it and Governor Glenn Youngkin to veto the bill if it does pass the Democrat-controlled legislature.

“A casino would be disastrous for our community,” said Katie Gorka, Chairman of the FCRC. “Fairfax residents are already concerned about increased crime and pay heavily in taxes to keep the county secure. Yet, this troubling bill was introduced by one of our own, Scott Surovell of Fairfax County, who obviously has rejected the facts of the human costs associated with gambling and would inject a host of issues to a part of the county he does not represent.”

The resolution states in part:

• WHEREAS, studies have shown localities in which casinos operate experienced double-digit crime rate increases after the casinos began operating;
• WHEREAS, the costs of addressing increased crime that will result from establishing a casino in Fairfax County are significant, and residents will feel these costs acutely at a time when property crimes in Fairfax County already are increasing and the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County is publicly committed to a lenient approach to prosecuting all crimes;
• WHEREAS, a casino will increase the risk of gambling addictions, personal bankruptcies, and mental health crises among the population of Fairfax County at a time when Fairfax County, like many suburban counties, is dealing with the opioid epidemic and other mental health crises;
• WHEREAS, human and sex trafficking is a significant and continuing problem in Northern Virginia, and traffickers are known to exploit casinos for their trafficking activities;
• WHEREAS, a casino in Fairfax County would exacerbate the county’s traffic congestion;
• WHEREAS, casino revenue is unreliable and highly volatile, mitigating any revenue benefits casinos might produce;
• WHEREAS, studies have shown casinos depress property values in the area of the casino, offsetting the revenue benefits a casino might provide;
• WHEREAS, Senator Scott Surovell, the Fairfax Democrat who is the chief patron of SB 982, does not represent the Tysons and Silver Line-serviced region where the bill would require a casino be located;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT
The Fairfax County Republican Committee firmly opposes Senate Bill 982, encourages all Senators to vote against it and, if it is passed by the General Assembly, encourages Governor Youngkin to veto it.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Katie Gorka, please contact Diana Banister at media@fcrc.com.