Rosie's Gaming Emporium Archives

Kentucky Derby Owner Acquires Colonial Downs, Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums

November 15, 2022November 14, 2022 Eric Burk

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), the owner of the Kentucky Derby, acquired the Colonial Downs horse racing venue and Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums as part of a $2.75 billion purchase of most of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment LLC (P2E).

With most of Virginia’s casinos not yet open, the P2E properties are one of the top options for gambling in Virginia. There are six Rosie’s locations in Virginia, with about 2,700 historical horse racing machines (HRM) that provide a slots-like game. As part of the purchase finalized at the beginning of November, CDI acquired rights to open two more HRM facilities: one in Dumfries, and one in Emporia, both scheduled to open in 2023. Virginia law potentially allows for three additional HRM locations.

Amherst County Grassroots Blocks Rosie’s Referendum with Under $9,000

November 5, 2021November 4, 2021 Eric Burk

Amherst County voters killed a proposal to bring a Rosie’s Gaming Emporium by the Colonial Downs Group, voting 54.06 percent to 45.94 percent of about 13,000 total votes, according to partial unofficial results. A couple of hours’ drive away, Emporia voters approved a similar proposal, 65.63 percent to 34.37 percent of about 2,000 total votes. The referenda were to approve pari-mutuel wagering, a slots-like gaming experience based on horse racing results.

Amherst County and Emporia City Holding Referenda on Proposed Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums

October 29, 2021October 28, 2021 Eric Burk

Voters in Emporia City and Amherst County are voting on local referenda about whether or not to allow the Colonial Downs Group to bring slots-style pari-mutuel gaming with new Rosie’s Gaming Emporium locations. Proponents say the facilities will bring local jobs and revenue for the locality, but opponents say that profit could come at the expense of locals.

“Voters approving pari-mutuel wagering in Amherst County will allow a Rosie’s to open. That means that dozens of new jobs will need to be filled. 100 new jobs will be created as a result, offering at least $15/hr and a $47,000 average annual salary with benefits,” Amherstwins.com states.

Colonial Downs Group Launches Petition to Bring Gaming to Amherst County

June 6, 2021June 5, 2021 Eric Burk

The Colonial Downs Group is circulating a petition to bring slot machine-style gaming to Amherst County, according to a Wednesday press release. If five percent of qualified voters sign the petition, county residents will have the opportunity in November to vote to approve a Rosie’s Gaming Emporium.

Slots-Style Gaming Coming to Northern Virginia in January

January 1, 2021December 31, 2020 Eric Burk

The Colonial Downs Group is opening a new Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in Dumfries on January 8. The new location will offer simulcast horse racing and betting, as well as 150 historical horse racing machines. The machines use historical horse race data to offer a slots-style gaming experience to patrons.

Virginia Gets Four Casinos

November 6, 2020November 5, 2020 Eric Burk

Four cities have voted to bring casinos to Virginia for the first time, according to unofficial results reported on The Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP). Although Norfolk City is only reporting 93.9 percent of its votes, over 42,611 of those votes are in favor of the initiative versus 22,822 against.

Colonial Downs and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium Stress Safety as Number One Priority

August 13, 2020August 13, 2020 Jacob Taylor

In the current unpredictable and health-driven world, safety is primary for Colonial Downs Racetrack and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium.

“Safety over revenues,” said Executive Vice President of Operations John Marshall in an interview with The Virginia Star. “That is the attitude of our team and that’s how we’re operating.”