Controversial Rosie’s will soon open in Henrico

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A controversial new Rosie's Gaming Emporium in Henrico County will officially open its doors at the end of September.

On Monday, Sept. 15, the Virginia Racing Commission voted 5-0 to grant an operating license to a new Roseshire Gaming Parlor, or Rosie's, in Henrico. This gaming and entertainment venue, located in the Staples Mill Shopping Center, will officially open on Monday, Sept. 29.

Per a press release from the company, the Roseshire will offer 175 horse racing machines (HRMs), live entertainment and simulcast wagering on horse racing nationwide. Nearly 100 new hires make up its staff.

Revenue from HRM venues supports Virginia's equine industry, according to the release.

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“Roseshire will be an upscale and welcoming entertainment and gaming parlor with exciting games, great entertainment, and top-tier food and beverage, including an innovative mocktail program we are launching just for Roseshire,” said Jeremy Callahan, general manager of Roseshire, in the release.

This Rosie's has been highly controversial among Henrico residents. Churchill Downs, Inc. -- Rosie's parent company -- filed a building permit for the venue in June 2024. This was just days before Henrico leaders changed county rules to require public input on such developments.

The push for a public vote ultimately failed when Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed a budget amendment that would have mandated such a vote.

“That was a site that they [Churchill Downs] had agreed with the county," Youngkin said previously regarding his veto. "They received all the permits they needed to start building. They had invested $5 million in this new site, and then someone came and tried to change the rules on them."

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Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico), who has repeatedly voiced his frustrations about this development, provided 8News with the following statement on Tuesday, Sept. 16 regarding Monday's announcement:

"The Virginia Racing Commission's vote yesterday to approve a license for the Rosie's venue at Staples Mill Shopping Center was disappointing. Henrico voters should get to weigh in on whether gambling facilities are established in their community, just as members of every other locality can. Instead, Churchill Downs relied on a decades old referendum to remove the public from their application to build a Rosie’s gambling facility. Their actions are not only shameful, but are an abuse of the legal process. At every turn, Churchill Downs has refused to engage with Henrico residents, fueling cynicism and eroding trust. Although the Virginia Racing Commission voted in favor of Churchill Downs yesterday, we will keep fighting on behalf of Henrico and keep pushing for transparency, public participation, and accountability. This fight is not over." Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico)

The total investment Churchill Downs, Inc. has reportedly made to develop this Henrico Roseshire location is $35 million, according to the company.