A letter endorsed by over 100 former members of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and other retired intelligence community officials is calling on state lawmakers in Richmond to prevent an initiative to permit a casino in Northern Virginia, citing worries that such a resort might jeopardize national security. 

Opponents of gambling frequently mention similar reasons for their stance, such as arguing that the games are addictive and result in financial troubles that can lead to societal problems like divorce, strained relationships, and even suicide. A novel theory is developing in Northern Virginia where those against a casino in Tysons argue that a Las Vegas-style resort could jeopardize the nation’s national security interests. 

The CIA's main office is located in Langley, Fairfax County. The 258-acre campus is located approximately five aerial miles from the site of the proposed Tysons casino.

"The proximity of a Tysons casino to a significant population of government, military, and contract officials with access to highly secretive government intelligence, diplomatic, and defense information will not only attract organized crime — casinos always do — but also adversarial intelligence services looking to recruit those with such access whom they hope to blackmail,” the letter from a group called National Security Leaders for Fairfax read. “With the Washington D.C. area having the greatest concentration of the most sensitive security clearances in the country, we urge you to immediately and categorically reject the proliferation of gambling establishments in Northern Virginia, and at Tysons in particular, as posing an unacceptable health and national security hazard, whose socioeconomic costs significantly outweigh any short-term increase in revenue.”

Patch initially reported on the letter from National Security Leaders directed to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R), and every member of the Virginia General Assembly. It was endorsed by 109 individuals from former defense and national security agencies. 

New Tysons Titleholder 

Virginia Senator David Marsden (D-Fairfax) has spearheaded the legislative effort to allocate a casino to Fairfax County in earlier legislative sessions. That will alter next year when Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon) assumes control of the legislation. Mount Vernon is a census-designated city that is unincorporated and located in Fairfax County. 

A casino measure would enable voters in Fairfax County to determine whether a gaming resort benefits the community. Although local officials, including most of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, along with homeowners’ associations and many state legislators representing the county and city, are against it, numerous unions have expressed their support for the project. 

Marsden and Surovell think that voters ought to have the ultimate decision and be permitted to explore new sources of tax revenue due to a declining property tax base. Tysons and the adjacent McClean are primarily recognized as corporate centers that host numerous global companies' headquarters. However, significant office space continues to stay unoccupied after the pandemic, as certain companies have permanently permitted workers to operate remotely. 

Fairfax's National Security Leaders indicate that Tysons and McLean's status as significant corporate hubs poses added risk, given that essential defense and intelligence contractors such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, BAE, and Booz Allen operate in the area. 

Betters Should Not Submit Applications 

The leaders of Fairfax's National Security assert in their letter against a casino in Northern Virginia that federal employees and those with security clearances may face revocation of their clearances if their gambling activities lead to financial problems at home. 

The National Intelligence Agency states that “taking out loans or participating in major financial dealings to finance gambling or settle gambling debts” can lead to termination of employment. Individuals who hide their gambling debts or other issues stemming from their gambling experience comparable repercussions. 

It is important to mention that MGM National Harbor, a $1.4 billion casino development, has been in operation just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. since December 2016. According to Casino.org, the casino has not caused a significant number of federal employees to develop gambling addictions.