Who would go to a Rosie’s Gaming Emporium on a weekday morning to place bets on horses, both living and even some that have long passed away?
Being new to historical horse racing (HHR) and relatively unfamiliar with Virginia, this assignment was undoubtedly fitting for someone like me.
Ever since I started reporting on the realm of sports betting, casinos, and the lottery for PlayVirginia, there has been one intriguing and bewildering aspect of gambling in Virginia that has caught my attention: the widely known as “Rosie’s” among most residents of the state.
Colonial Downs is the owner of the four Rosie’s locations scattered throughout Virginia. Recently, I made a trip to the Vinton branch, which is situated just east of downtown Roanoke.
I am well acquainted with gambling establishments, having frequented them during my previous jobs that required me to visit Las Vegas at least twelve times a year. Additionally, residing in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois provided easy access to casinos, poker rooms, racetracks, and even slot parlors found at gas stations.
I couldn’t grasp the concept of Rosie’s Historical Horse Racing machines, which appeared similar to slots but were claimed to be something entirely distinct.
Therefore, adhering to societal norms, I made the choice to test my fortune by engaging in some definitely-not-slot machines during my first visit to Rosie’s Gaming Emporium on a Tuesday morning.
Rosie’s Gaming Emporium first impressions
Rosie’s currently operates in three cities in eastern Virginia, and there is another location in the works.
- Richmond
- Hampton
- New Kent
- Dumfries (January opening)
I decided to take a one-hour drive along I-81 to explore the sole western location beyond Charlottesville, which was Vinton. Similar to other Rosie’s establishments, the Vinton parlor boasts an impressive selection of around 150 historical horse racing machines.
I reached Rosie’s around 11 a.m. on a Tuesday, equipped with hand sanitizer, Lysol wipes, and an N95 mask. Following a thorough verification of my ID and temperature by a security guard, I was granted access to the establishment, which resembled a CVS in terms of size.
Although it wasn’t exactly a conventional prime-time gaming hour, the establishment was still quite busy. Rosie’s lacked the authentic Vegas atmosphere due to the absence of table games, a sportsbook, poker room, or any quirky attractions. However, the HHR machines, with their vibrant visuals and lively sounds, gave it a slight resemblance to a Dave & Buster’s catering to an early-dinner audience.
Nevertheless, I soon became aware that due to COVID-19 safety measures, not all machines were in use. Plexiglass partitions were in place, separating each machine, but every alternate one was also deactivated to ensure compliance with social distancing protocols.
Rosie’s deserves credit for maintaining a clean environment throughout the entire establishment, including the parking lot, gaming floor, and restrooms. COVID-related safety signs were prominently displayed, and hand-sanitizing stations were readily available. The diligent staff constantly sprayed and wiped down the gaming machines and other surfaces, to the extent that two employees jokingly admitted to cleaning the same spot approximately 20 times in the previous hour due to a lack of other tasks.
Moreover, almost every customer at Rosie’s was adhering to the proper mask-wearing protocol, except for a few individuals who carelessly wore them incorrectly, either slung under their chin or across their forehead. However, thanks to the effective distancing measures implemented by Rosie’s, it was quite effortless to find enough space to maintain personal distance and feel reasonably secure as I prepared for my first HHR experience.
Quick intro on Rosie Gaming Emporiums
What is the definition of historical horse racing (HHR), also known as “instant racing”?
The industry insists that these machines, despite their striking resemblance to slot machines in appearance, sound, and gameplay, are absolutely not slot machines. Not in the slightest. Admittedly, you do select a denomination (ranging from 1 cent to 1 dollar), insert your money, decide on your bet size (my “penny slot machine” allowed up to 300 pennies per play), observe the spinning wheels, and hope for a stroke of luck from Lady Luck.
Absolutely not, these are definitely not slot machines in any way.
These are legally considered as “games of skill,” hence the term “historical horse racing.” Instead of solely relying on luck to determine the outcome, these machines utilize replays of numerous horse races that have already taken place. The players’ money is pooled together and follows the same pari-mutuel wagering system that was used during live races in the past.
Initially, the early HHR machines bore a striking resemblance to genuine horse racing terminals. However, with the increasing popularity of auto-play betting features, they gradually transformed into their present-day appearance, which has absolutely no resemblance to a slot machine.
To be completely honest, I’m still not entirely clear on how these machines operate. I carefully examined my Blue Bolt 7s penny machine, searching for any instructions, pay tables, or any other relevant information. Eventually, I decided to insert my new player’s card and took my first spin with the minimum bet of 30 pennies.
The outcome? I earned a 10-cent profit, resulting in a total of 40 cents.
Later, I managed to open a box on the screen. It displayed information about horses, jockeys, and betting data for Race 5 at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort on March 11, 2001. Despite my confusion about how to use this information, I decided to quickly take a picture with my phone and attempt to decipher it at a later time.
And that’s how I first met Rosie’s security personnel.
A stern guard promptly approached me, asserting, “Sorry, but you are not allowed to take photos in this area, buddy.”
The duration of my HHR play was approximately an hour. As I reached the end of my session, my screen was suddenly filled with dazzling graphics, accompanied by triumphant music and the sound of repeated dings! It gave the impression of an imminent big win. However, the actual outcome turned out to be just $1.50. The fancy graphics used to announce this disappointing score likely consumed an equivalent amount of electricity.
Overall, I ended up losing $14.40 while playing HHR. Surprisingly, I was completely fine with the outcome. Considering that I own a copy of “Runner Runner” on Blu-ray, I’ve spent much more on forms of entertainment that provided significantly less enjoyment.
A Nice Bonus: Live Horse Racing
After playing slots at HHR, I developed a craving for food. Therefore, I decided to head over to Rosie’s Kitchen, the on-site food counter and lounge. I had heard great things about their famous R’ Burger and seasoned fries, and I must admit, they lived up to the hype. Rosie’s regulars also highly recommend their carver sandwich, flatbreads, and donuts, although I could barely manage to finish the burger and fries myself.
I made a brief pit stop at the Virginia Lottery self-service machine on-site to grab a New Year’s Millionaire Raffle ticket, which I planned to use as a stocking stuffer. Continuing my journey, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Rosie’s had an authentic racebook.
In this area of Rosie’s, you will find 10 expansive TV screens showcasing live feeds of tracks and horse racing events from various locations in the country. Additionally, there are three convenient self-service betting terminals where you can place bets on any of the live races. However, if you prefer assistance, there is also a staffed station available, where a helpful Rosie’s employee can assist you in placing your wagers.
To be completely frank, I have a strong preference for real horses over computer-generated ones. The excitement of live racing allows me to seek handicapping advice online, savor the anticipation of placing a wager for a few minutes rather than mere seconds, and even enjoy the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts. I have spent countless mornings and afternoons in Las Vegas racebooks, surrounded by vibrant personalities, while awaiting the awakening (or sobriety) of my friends from their hotel rooms.
At Rosie’s that day, “Ron” and a group of seasoned horseplayers were enthusiastically placing exotic bets while bemoaning their misfortune and criticizing the clueless individuals who were spoiling their Tuesday afternoon.
Ron sighed in disappointment as the horse he had chosen faded to the back of the pack. He couldn’t help but think that the horse was a complete idiot. In fact, all the other horses that left his colt behind were equally foolish. Even the jockey and the owner, who were celebrating in the winner’s circle, seemed like complete idiots to Ron. It seemed that Ron had a talent for picking such fools. Frustrated, he muttered about his losses and threw his worthless tickets in the trash before leaving for the parking lot. It was clear that Ron believed he was the biggest idiot of all that day.
To be honest, my visit to Rosie’s finally gave me the authentic Vegas feel, the first time that day.
The future of Rosie’s as Virginia casinos open
In summary, Rosie’s provided satisfactory entertainment. Although I’m not usually interested in slots or historical horse racing (HHR), those who enjoy slots would likely enjoy the unassuming and friendly atmosphere here. Additionally, my luck in the actual horse racing book earned me a substantial $5.40, leaving me feeling quite pleased.
Rosie’s is set to encounter formidable competition with the recent legalization of casino gambling in Virginia. The situation intensifies further as four cities in VA have taken significant strides towards establishing major casino-resorts that are scheduled to commence operations in 2022 and 2025. With budgets amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, these properties will undoubtedly provide a level of offerings that surpasses what a Rosie’s location can provide.
Nevertheless, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam granted a temporary exemption to the rest of the state’s “skill game” operators, with Queen of Virginia being a notable example. Originally, the General Assembly aimed to prohibit the presence of around 10,000 “gray machines” that have proliferated in Virginia’s restaurants, convenience stores, and truck stops. However, Northam proposed a significant tax on these machines as a means to generate revenue and offset the financial shortfall caused by the pandemic’s impact on lottery earnings.
The skills-game stopgap has the potential to generate $120 million in revenue for the commonwealth, however, it is not anticipated to continue beyond its deadline of June 30, 2021.
Rosie’s can continue thriving while other operators are compelled to shut down. Nevertheless, once full-fledged casinos open in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and potentially Richmond, will Rosie’s still attract a large audience?
Certainly, if you’re seeking luxurious and extravagant experiences, Rosie’s might not measure up to the potential high-end properties in the future. However, my exploration of Rosie’s and historical horse racing has taught me to appreciate the convenience and cost-effective entertainment that these distinctive establishments in Virginia offer.
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