Reston (Virginia) residents against gaining a local casino have called on state legislators to “oppose any legislation that would facilitate the developer's plans,” according to a patch.com local report.
The proposed casino would be in Fairfax County outside the Capital Beltway on Metro’s Silver Line.
Reston Citizens Association President Lynne Mulston told local news that the city’s comprehensive plan “does not provide for the development of a casino, and such development goes against Reston’s planning principles."
Mulston went on to explain that local leadership stands with the association against casino development in the area.
Mulston said, "Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn has stated that he does not support such development, and we stand with our Supervisor on this matter. Under Virginia law, no legislation currently allows such development in Reston."
Virginia is currently home to two casinos, Rivers Casino Portsmouth and Bristol Casino – Future Home of Hard Rock.
The state’s Lottery Board recently gave Danville’s Caesars Virginia casino an operating license for its temporary casino location, which opened this spring.
Caesars said it expects its permanent casino to open in 2024. Caesars Virginia is the third casino to take up residence within Virginia’s borders.
The state recently began enforcing its ban on skills games. Virginia passed a law banning skill game kiosks during 2020. However, the restriction was lifted at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic to provide “desperately needed revenue for small businesses.”
Following the 2020 ban, the gaming industry pushed back to appeal the matter in court. Both groups reached a legal standstill in December 2021. Up until the recent ruling, no formal decision had been made on the case.
