NEW KENT, VA (WWBT) – Get ready to place your bets, as horse racing is one step closer to returning to Virginia.
After months of preparation and years of talk, Colonial Downs will finally open its doors once again and bring electronic betting back to the Commonwealth. Tuesday morning will be the official opening of Rosie’s Gaming Emporium at the Colonial Downs racetrack, which will see horse racing return in August.
“That’s a loss of a lot of local revenue that could help schools and law enforcement. It was making about $400,000 for the community,” said Del. Chris Peace (R-Virginia).
Peace was one of the lawmakers that helped pass legislation “to allow a new form of wagering, which was historic horse racing.” There will be about 600 of the digital betting machines at the New Kent location, bringing in around $150 per day, per machine.
In addition, the New Kent Rosie’s will bring hundreds of jobs to the county.
“These are all going to inure, not just to the benefit of New Kent County as a host county, but also to the benefit of thoroughbred racing in Virginia, which is a long established tradition in the commonwealth,” Delegate Peace said.
The New Kent location is only the first of other Rosie’s opening, with one in Richmond, and others in Vinton and Hampton.
By: Enzo Domingo