Rosie’s Gaming Emporium has further solidified its presence in Virginia by expanding its historical horse racing (HHR) operations with a new establishment in the town of Dumfries.
On Friday, the fifth Rosie’s gaming parlor in VA officially opened its doors at 18069 Triangle Shopping Plaza. Notably, this marks the first Rosie’s establishment in northern Virginia.
In 2018, the Virginia General Assembly passed a law to legalize historical horse racing, leading to the reopening of the Colonial Downs racetrack in New Kent County, Virginia. As a result, the Rosie’s locations were introduced in Virginia the following year and are currently managed by the Colonial Downs Group.
Rosie’s HHR machines closely resemble and function similarly to conventional slot machines. In addition, Rosie’s also provides the opportunity for patrons to engage in live televised horse racing and place bets through their respective racebooks at every establishment.
In addition to Rosie’s existing establishments in New Kent County, Hampton, Richmond, and Vinton, the new Dumfries store has now become a part of their expanding chain.
HHR at Rosie’s Dumfries
Rosie’s Dumfries is situated at the heart of Triangle Shopping Center, a convenient location in the town with an estimated population of 5,000.
Due to the COVID-19 measures in place, the facility, which spans over 19,000 square feet, has the capacity to serve approximately 130 customers.
The operating hours are from 8 a.m. to midnight every day.
However, once the pandemic-related social-distancing measures are lifted, Rosie’s Dumfries can increase their capacity.
Rosie’s locations not only create employment opportunities but also generate tax revenue. According to Rick Casagrande, the general manager of Rosie’s Dumfries, the facility is projected to contribute around $55,000 in monthly tax revenue to Dumfries, as reported by NBC Washington.
In November alone, Rosie’s other locations collectively generated a betting handle of $170 million, with Richmond leading the way at $61 million and closely followed by Hampton at $59 million.
What to expect at Rosie’s
Rosie’s establishments resemble small-scale casinos, although each gaming parlor offers a distinct variety of games. Poker rooms, table games, sportsbooks, and traditional slot machines are absent from their venues. In their place, Rosie’s exclusively features HHR machines that resemble slot machines.
Instead of being solely based on luck, HHR games derive their outcomes from the extensive history of tens of thousands of previously conducted horse races. By incorporating the pari-mutuel wagering system, HHR machines can bypass conventional gaming regulations and be categorized as “games of skill.”
Nevertheless, the experience remains largely unchanged for the typical slot player.
Rosie’s not only provides HHR machines for players to bet on with amounts ranging from 20 cents to several dollars per spin, but it also has an on-site racebook. This facility includes a collection of TVs broadcasting live horse racing from various racetracks in the US. Horse enthusiasts can conveniently place their bets on these races either through Rosie’s staffed betting windows or by utilizing the self-service wagering terminals.
At every location, you will find Rosie’s Kitchen, a food counter and lounge that offers surprisingly delicious burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, donuts, and cookies.
Rosie’s has emerged as the primary gaming destination in a state with limited betting options. Nevertheless, the upcoming launch of Virginia sports betting and the establishment of VA casino-resorts will pose significant competition for the HHR parlors.
Dumfries, however, holds a geographical edge with its advantageous location. The closest possible casino (Richmond) is conveniently situated 80 miles away. Furthermore, Dumfries is strategically positioned only 30 miles from the border of Washington, DC, which presents an opportunity to broaden its potential customer reach.
Related Articles
