RICHMOND, VA -- Senator Saddam Azlan Salim, State Senator for District 37, which includes Tysons, released the following statement regarding SB982, a bill that could authorize a casino in his district if Fairfax County approves a referendum:

"Today, the Senate voted in favor of SB982, which would allow Fairfax County to seek authorization for a casino in Tysons. Since joining the Senate last year, I have consistently voiced my opposition to this proposal for several reasons and voted against the legislation on the floor.

First, unlike previous casino authorization bills passed by the General Assembly, this proposal was not initiated by Fairfax County. In fact, in a recent letter, the Chair of the Board of Supervisors confirmed that the county has not sought this authority and is unlikely to proceed with a referendum due to significant community opposition.

Second, this bill differs from past legislation by de-facto specifying a predetermined site and developer, bypassing local land-use control and eliminating a competitive bidding process. This approach sets a concerning precedent, as it allows a single developer to advance a casino project with minimal local support, primarily through significant campaign contributions and lobbying efforts at the state level.

As the State Senator representing the proposed casino site, I cannot overstate the overwhelming opposition from my constituents. Over just the past two weeks, my office has received approximately 1,300 emails and calls on this issue— less than 0.008% of which were in support. Independent polling reflects similar opposition, with a strong majority of Fairfax County residents against the project, including around 80% of Tysons-area residents. This is not a vocal minority; it is a clear majority expressing concern.

I urge the House to reject this bill so we can focus on legislative priorities that truly serve our constituents."