Henrico County has filed a lawsuit against the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC), alleging that the agency improperly issued a license for the Roseshire Gaming Parlor. The petition, submitted on November 12, claims the VRC acted beyond its jurisdiction in approving the facility.
In late March, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a state budget provision that would have required a public referendum before a new Rosie’s Gaming Emporium could open in the county.
Unanimous Vote
In September, the VRC unanimously approved the Roseshire license, despite significant opposition from county officials and residents during the review. Roseshire launched on September 29 at the Staples Mill Shopping Center, featuring 175 historical horse racing machines. These machines operate similarly to slot machines, leading the county to argue that the VRC used an incorrect legal basis for the license.
The VRC’s approval relied on a 1992 referendum permitting pari-mutuel wagering in Henrico. However, Henrico contends that this referendum is outdated, as the General Assembly did not classify historical horse racing as pari-mutuel wagering until 2018. The petition notes that when the original referendum was voted on, “HHR Slot Machines had not yet been invented,” and any such gambling would have been illegal under existing laws.
“Broken Promises”
Henrico County, alongside two local residents, is requesting the Richmond Circuit Court to invalidate Roseshire’s license and cover legal fees. The petition also criticizes Churchill Downs, Inc., Roseshire’s parent company, for “lack of transparency and broken promises.” In 2019, the previous owners of Colonial Downs assured Henrico they wouldn’t establish a gaming operation without local consent. However, this commitment disappeared after Churchill Downs acquired the track. When Churchill Downs proposed Roseshire last year, it did so just before a new ordinance would have mandated public participation.
County Manager John Vithoulkas expressed that the company “intentionally and wrongly silenced” residents’ voices, claiming it chose a path indicating disinterest in being a good community member or corporate citizen.
Worried Residents
Local residents are concerned about the gaming parlor’s impact on the neighborhood, which has over 2,700 homes within a mile. State senator Schuyler VanValkenburg believes the area should prioritize mixed-use redevelopment over gaming, stating that broad gaming shouldn’t be located in a community center. He advocates for a local referendum to ensure residents have a voice, asserting that corporate interests should not override community decisions. Roseshire processed over $5.6 million in wagers, paying out just over $5 million in its initial days.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com