Henrico gaming venue opens Monday after political battle
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The site will include 175 slot-like historical horse racing machines. Rendering: Courtesy of Churchill Downs Incorporated
Henrico County's controversial gambling venue, Roseshire Gaming Parlor, opens Monday on Staples Mill Road.
Why it matters: It's the last casino-like gaming venue that can open in the county without public input and a more rigorous vetting process.
The big picture: The roughly $35 million investment by Kentucky-based Churchill Downs — which also owns the Colonial Downs track in New Kent and seven other casino-like venues in the state — brings:
- 175 historical horse racing machines, which look and function like slot machines, but allow bettors to place wagers on past horse races. And just like casinos, cash is the prize.
- Food and drink at an in-house restaurant, Crimson Kitchen, with fare like wings, burgers, sandwiches and pizza.
- Plus, Roseshire will offer live entertainment, like live music on the weekends and horse racing simulcasts on TV.
The intrigue: Roseshire is opening despite opposition from Henrico residents, and local and state officials who attempted to pass legislation to stop it.
Flashback: Churchill Downs filed plans for Roseshire in June 2024, days before Henrico supervisors were scheduled to meet to close a decades-old loophole that allows casino-like gaming venues to open without public input.
- Because the loophole fix was pending at the time the casino owner filed, every state lawmaker representing Henrico sent a letter in July asking Churchill Downs to withdraw their permit application and resubmit it under current rules.
- When that effort failed, state lawmakers in February tacked on a budget amendment that would've required Roseshire to hold off until Henrico, and any locality in the state, hold a referendum for voters to weigh in before opening.
- Gov. Youngkin vetoed the amendment in March, noting that the company had operated legally at the time and pointing out that they had already invested $5 million in the site.
The latest: County officials' last hope to thwart the betting parlor's opening was the state racing commission, which had to vote to approve Roseshire's gambling license.
- The five-person, governor-appointed board met earlier this month and voted unanimously to grant the license.
If you go: Roseshire is in the Staples Mill Shopping Center, at the intersection of Staples Mill Road and Glenside Drive, just down the road from the Amtrak station.
- Open daily, 8am to midnight.