Colonial Downs Gaming held a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Thursday to open Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in Vinton, Va. Rosie’s features 150 historical horse racing (HHR) machines, simulcast horse racing, restaurant and bar, and gift shop.
Ernie Dellaverson, general manager of Rosie’s Vinton, stated, “After months and months of planning and construction renovations, we are thrilled that Rosie’s is now open for business in Vinton. Our team is so excited to bring together gaming enthusiasts, horse lovers and the community to experience an exciting and fun activity that will benefit Vinton and Virginia through job creation and increased tax revenues.”
The revenues generated through HHR machines will enable the return of live Thoroughbred horse racing to Virginia. The first day of live racing at the Colonial Downs track in New Kent County is scheduled for Aug. 8. The Virginia Oaks & Virginia Derby will both return on Aug. 31.
Aaron Gomes, chief operating officer of Colonial Downs Group, added,
“Rosie’s is critical to the rebirth and revitalization of horse racing and the equine industry in Virginia. We are proud to have already invested $175 million to re-establish the Colonial Downs track as well as bring HHR to Virginia through the new Rosie’s. Anticipation is building as live thoroughbred horse racing is just months away.”
Rosie’s in Vinton and New Kent are open weekdays 8 am to 2 am, and weekends 8 am to 4 am.
Colonial Downs Gaming also plans to open a Rosie’s in South Richmond in June and Hampton in early fall 2019 with other locations to follow. Rosie’s will generate $25 million in state taxes annually and create 800 jobs statewide.
Colonial Downs’ bright future features the return of live Thoroughbred racing and full card simulcasting with the excitement of innovative historic horse racing (HHR) gaming technology. In collaboration with the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) and Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA), Colonial Downs is set to bring competitive horse racing back to New Kent County and the Commonwealth with the re-opening of the best turf track in the country and a future network of satellite HHR facilities branded as “Rosie’s.”
Colonial Downs Group is making a $300 million investment in the Commonwealth of Virginia creating 800 new jobs by the end of 2019. This effort will generate $25 million annually in state tax revenues, $17 million annually in local tax revenues and $25 million annually to Virginia’s horse industry. The project is not receiving any tax credits or government incentives.