Controversial Casino Bill Likely To Resurface In 2026: Lawmakers

RESTON, VA — Despite the controversial Tysons casino referendum bill failing to move forward in the recent session of the Virginia General Assembly, both of the lawmakers who represent Reston in Richmond said they expect the legislation to re-emerge in 2026.

“We’re pretty sure the casino will rear its head again in the next session,” Del. Karen Keys-Gamarra (D-Reston) said at the Reston Community Center-Lake Anne on Monday evening.

She and Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-Reston) were at the community center to present proclamations honoring retired school administrator Frances Ivey and the Virginia chapter of the American Association of University Women. Before leaving, they shared an update on the 2025 legislative session and what issues were likely to emerge in 2026.

Patch first reported Reston-based developer Comstock Holding Companies’ efforts to build a casino somewhere on Metro’s Silver Line.

In January, Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Alexandria), the Senate majority leader, sponsored the latest version of the casino referendum bill. Simultaneously, Comstock released a visioning plan for a 4- million-square-foot entertainment district in Tysons anchored by a casino.

Although Surovell’s bill passed the full Senate on a 24 to 16 vote, the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee voted unanimously to pass it by for the 2025 session.

Comstock CEO Christopher Clemente told the Washington Business Journal in February that his company was committed to advancing the “tremendous economic development opportunity” for northern Virginia.

Despite the fact that the leader of her party was the chief patron of the casino bill, Boysko spoke in opposition in both the Senate and the House of Delegates. Shortly after the bill died in the House subcommittee, the Democratic Caucus voted unanimously to remove Boysko as the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.

“I don't support the casino, because my community doesn’t support the casino,” said Keys-Gamarra, who confirmed she is running for re-election in November.

During the recent session, Keys-Gamarra explained to other House members that the casino legislation they were considering had not followed the same process that earlier casino efforts in the state had taken.

“They have the opportunity to have appropriate studies such as environmental impact, as well as transportation, etcetera,” she said. “None of that happened. It’s part of a big part of the concern here. Without appropriate vetting, you really are just having a marketing campaign.”

Both lawmakers stressed the importance of ensuring that the following constitutional amendments already approved by the general assembly were added to Nov. 3, 2026 ballot:

• Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment
• Remove Constitutional Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment
• Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Upon Release Amendment.

“It’s imperative that we have the majority in the House,” Boysko said. “If we lose that, if the elections do not go the way we want — we're Democrats — then it will not survive. This is a critical, critical election this coming fall, and we need to make sure that everybody knows that and identifies themselves with the candidates that they share their values with."