Tysons Casino Bill Clears Senate, Moves to House
Efforts to bring a casino to Tysons, Va. moved a little closer to reality Feb. 4 when SB 982 cleared the state Senate and moved to the House. The bill, if passed, would add Fairfax County to “the list of localities eligible to host a casino in the Commonwealth,” but the wording of the specific location essentially mandates it to be developed in Tysons.
The movement has been controversial, as Fairfax County itself did not initiate it and communities there have been vocal in their opposition to the project. A group of defense officials even penned a letter to state lawmakers asking them to deny it due to potential national security concerns, given the area’s large population of federal employees.
Sen. Saddam Azlan, whose district includes Tysons, issued the following statement after voting against the bill, per WUSA9:
“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 percent of which were in support. Independent polling reflects similar opposition, with a strong majority of Fairfax County residents against the project, including around 80 percent of Tysons-area residents. This is not a vocal minority; it is a clear majority expressing concern.”
NV Senator to Introduce Room-Cleaning Bill, Potentially Rekindling Union Fued
Nevada state Sen. Lori Rogich told the Nevada Independent Feb.4 that she intends to file a bill that would reinstate mandatory daily room cleaning for hotels and casinos in the Silver State.
The introduction of such a bill is likely to reignite a longstanding feud on the issue between operators and the Culinary Union. In 2020, room cleaning mandates were approved in response to the Covid pandemic, but were subsequently repealed in 2023 with the passage of SB 441.
Culinary vehemently opposed the bill, and went on to add room cleaning mandates to its latest round of collective bargaining agreements. Rogich’s bill, she says, is aimed at curbing illegal cannabis use. Per state law, cannabis may only be consumed in private residences or designated lounges, not hotels or casinos.
When asked about the impending room cleaning bill, Nevada Resort Association President Virginia Valentine told the Independent, “We strongly opposed it in 2023 and our position has not changed.”
Casino Bill Introduced in Georgia
In Georgia, a group of lawmakers Feb. 5 introduced SR 131, which would give voters a chance to amend the state constitution to establish a state gaming regulatory body that would have the ability to issue up to eight retail casino licenses.
Licensees would only be granted one license each, but it sets a hard line against online gambling. Per PlayUSA, the legislation says that “all casino gambling activities…shall take place at a casino facility…as no off-site casino gambling activities shall be permitted or authorized in this state.”
Underage Gambling Bill Moving in New Jersey
A New Jersey bill—Assembly Bill 5806—that would decriminalize underage gambling is making headway in the state assembly. If passed, the measure would reduce underage gambling to a civil infraction with fines, but violations would not go on offenders’ criminal records. Previous versions of similar measures included mandates for problem gambling treatment, but this version does not.
Per PlayNJ, AB 5806 “changes the penalties for each of these actions from that of a disorderly persons offense, which is of a criminal nature, to instead be a civil fine of up to $500 for the first offense, up to $1,000 for the second offense, and up to $2,000 for any offense thereafter.”
The new law would apply to all forms of gambling—New Jersey is one of few states that has land-based casinos, sports betting and iGaming.
Mexican, Canadian Tariffs Could Impact Travel to Las Vegas
The U.S. Travel Association Feb. 3 issued a statement warning that international travel from Canada to several states, including Nevada, could be impacted by tariffs that have been pushed by President Donald Trump. Both Canada and Mexico have negotiated postponements of the tariffs in exchange for increased border security efforts.
Nevada is among the five most-visited states by Canadians, with the others being Florida, California, New York and Texas. For Las Vegas specifically, Canada is the top international feeder market, and Mexico is second.
Hard Rock Bristol Opens Poker Room
In Virginia, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol opened a new 14-table poker room Feb. 7, the casino announced. The room will feature no-limit hold’em, pot-limit Omaha and other games, with both tournaments and cash games.
“We’re excited to bring a first-class poker room to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol,” Alan Thompson, Vice President of Gaming Operations, said in a statement. “With a mix of cash games and tournament play, we’re offering something for every poker player, whether they’re local or traveling from afar. We look forward to welcoming guests from across the region and beyond to experience our state-of-the-art venue.”
New Camping Ban Takes Effect in Clark County
On Feb. 1, a new camping ban ordinance took effect in Clark County, Nev. The new ordinance makes it so that camping, sleeping or storing property in public is now a misdemeanor offense. Violators can face fines of up to $1,000 or 10 days in jail. Since 2021, the region’s homeless population has grown by more than 50 percent, and officials have enacted multiple new laws to help curb homelessness in major tourist areas like the Strip and beyond.
