Virginia: Opposition including MGM ramps up lobbying efforts against Tysons casino proposal

Opponents of a proposed casino in Tysons, Virginia, have ramped up their lobbying efforts, spending over $755,000 since 2023 to sway lawmakers and public opinion.

Central to these efforts are MGM Resorts, the operator of MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino in Maryland, and PLUS Communications, a public relations firm. According to campaign finance reports, MGM donated $40,750 to political action committees and lawmakers in the Virginia General Assembly during the 2023-2024 period.

Major contributions included $10,000 to the House Republican Campaign Committee and $7,500 to the Commonwealth Victory Fund, with additional donations distributed among both Democratic and Republican legislators. These contributions aimed to bolster opposition to the Tysons casino proposal, which MGM views as a potential competitor to its Maryland operation.  

In addition to campaign contributions, MGM spent $222,367 on six lobbyists to represent its interests during the 2024 Virginia legislative session. Julia Hammond and Ricardo Limardo Jr. were among the lobbyists leading these efforts.

Limardo, MGM’s vice president of federal government affairs, received $164,472 in reimbursements for communications and related expenses. Legislative efforts included monitoring Senate Bill 675, which proposed a referendum on a Tysons casino but was postponed to the 2025 session. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 628, signed into law by Governor Glenn Youngkin, shifted casino eligibility from Richmond to Petersburg.

PLUS Communications also played a key role, spending $492,780 on opposition campaigns through its involvement with two anti-casino organizations: No NOVA Casino and Virginia Against Neighborhood Slot Machines. These groups have vocally opposed the Tysons casino, citing concerns about community welfare and the potential negative impacts of expanded gambling.

From May 2023 to April 2024, No NOVA Casino alone allocated $49,650 to lobbying and $320,559 to communication expenses. Virginia Against Neighborhood Slot Machines spent an additional $117,571 to support its campaign, including $15,335 for lobbying efforts. PLUS Communications even provided buses to transport casino opponents to Richmond to lobby lawmakers directly.  

Despite the substantial investment by casino opponents, their $755,897 total falls short of the $1.2 million spent by Comstock Holding Companies and its allies in support of the Tysons casino.

The debate underscores the growing tensions surrounding gambling expansion in Virginia. Proponents argue that casinos can bring economic benefits and create jobs, while opponents highlight the risks of increased gambling addiction and community disruption.