Virginia Racing Commission approves Roseshire’s application in unanimous vote

The Virginia Racing Commission approved Roseshire Gaming Parlor’s application for an operational license in a 5-0 vote on Monday, clearing the way for the facility to open in Henrico’s Near West End.

Churchill Downs, the parent company of Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums, plans to open Roseshire at 4016 Glenside Drive in just two weeks on Sept. 29. The facility is still awaiting the approval of a certificate of occupancy from Henrico County, as well as a license to serve alcohol from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority.

More than 50 community members and local leaders gathered at the VRC meeting for the vote on the controversial facility, with the majority of attendees speaking out against the proposed gaming parlor. Another 120 community members also signed an online petition against the facility but could not make it to the meeting, according to Henrico State Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-16th District).

Churchill Downs has repeatedly circumvented community input, said VanValkenburg. The company did not respond to a July 2024 letter from local officials urging them to withdraw their application, he said, and did not show up to a community town hall meeting on the proposed gaming parlor this past December.

“From the outset, I and the other members of the Henrico delegation – Democrats, Republicans, West End, East End – called for public input,” VanValkenburg said. “Churchill [Downs] has taken steps to avoid engaging with Henrico residents, which has fueled a lot of cynicism, eroded a lot of trust, and caused what we have here today.”

Henrico voters authorized off-track betting through a 1992 referendum, and in 2018, the Virginia General Assembly legalized historical horse racing machines in the state – legislation that VanValkenburg said he now “regrets” supporting. But Henrico officials argued that the referendum was conducted before HRR machines were created, making an additional public vote necessary.

“No Henrico voter has ever been asked if they want HHR machines in their neighborhood,” said Henrico supervisor Dan Schmitt, who represents the Brookland District – the area of the new Roseshire site. “The applicant leans on a 1992 referendum to justify their project, and a referendum that occurred 26 years before HHR machines were ever legalized.”

But the Roseshire project has followed the same process as every other historical horse racing venue in Virginia, said communication consultant and Roseshire spokesperson Michael Kelly. Five venues have opened in the state between 2019 and 2021 using referendums conducted between 1989 and 2004.

One Henrico resident, who lives in Sandston and is a patron of other nearby venues run by Rosie’s, spoke in favor of the facility, saying that the gaming parlors provide a friendly, safe atmosphere for customers.

“It is people having a good time and supporting each other, especially when they win. I have never experienced that much cohesion amongst customers in an establishment, outside of the Rosie’s type forum,” he said. “That goes to support that Roseshire is a potentially beneficial thing for the Henrico citizens.”

Other attendees brought up concerns about the gaming parlor, including worries about traffic and potential crime.

“As a mother who resides in this community, I am very concerned about the likely increase in illicit drug use and marketing, and specifically human trafficking, in our area,” said a Henrico resident who lives in the Brookland District. “Residents of Henrico County deserve an opportunity to vote on this proposal, and I reject this extractive approach that this company is bringing into our community without really considering the health and well being of those who reside in the area.”

Roseshire has already hired nearly 100 team members for the venue, which will feature 175 HHR machines, as well as live entertainment, food and beverages. Churchill Downs has invested about $35 million into developing Roseshire.

“Roseshire will be an upscale and welcoming entertainment and gaming parlor with exciting games, great entertainment, and top tier food and beverage,” said Roseshire’s general manager Jeremy Callahan. “We are thrilled to welcome guests to Roseshire beginning Monday, Sept. 29.”

In the coming weeks, Henrico leaders will take a deeper look into the legality of the 1992 referendum that paved the way for Roseshire, said Schmitt, and continue to meet and engage with community members.

“I'm proud of the folks who turned out today. They're here to speak on behalf of their neighbors, their community, and they're doing the good work of the public,” he said. “I only wish we had receptive ears on behalf of the commission and on behalf of the folks who proposed this project.”

“It ain't over until it’s over,” said Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas. “We’ll sit down and regroup.”