ROSIE’S GAMING EMPORIUMS CELEBRATE REVIVAL OF VIRGINIA HORSE RACING DURING R-WEEK

~ Rosie’s around the state and The Rose Gaming Resort help drive the growth of Virginia’s $2+ billion equine industry; Support hundreds of jobs and millions in state and local tax revenue ~

From Monday, April 21 – Saturday, April 26, Virginia racing and gaming fans will celebrate “R-Week” to mark the six-year anniversary of horse racing’s revival in Virginia and the opening of the first Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in Virginia. Each day during R-Week, all Rosie’s locations and The Rose Gaming Resort will offer new and returning guests special player promotions, live entertainment, prizes and giveaways including free play credits, and special surprises, as well as the largest jackpots in Virginia.

In 2019, Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent County re-opened after a five year closure, along with the first Rosie’s Gaming Emporium which provides additional resources to support worldclass racing, Virginia’s $2 billion equine industry, and the local communities in which Rosie’s now operate.

“We can’t wait to welcome new guests and old friends to Rosie’s and The Rose Gaming Resort in Northern Virginia to celebrate six years of fun and excitement, as well as the revival of Virginia’s legendary thoroughbred racing industry,” said Nate Mize, Sr. Director of Marketing for Colonial Downs and Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums.“When guests visit Rosie’s and The Rose they’ll find exciting gaming, great food and drink, and fun with friends and neighbors, all while supporting the growth and success of Virginia’s $2 billion equine industry. We’re so proud of the partnerships we’ve built with communities around the state over the last six years, and our contributions to the incredible rebirth of live racing at Colonial Downs Racetrack.”

Since 2019, Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums have allowed live race days at Colonial Downs Racetrack to increase from fifteen to forty-four, while average daily purses at Virginia’s premiere thoroughbred racetrack have risen to nearly $700,000. Rosie’s have now opened in New Kent, Richmond, Hampton, Vinton, Collinsville, and Emporia, along with The Rose Gaming Resort in Dumfries, funding competitive purses that attract racing talent to Virginia, employing 1,700 team members, and generating tens of millions in state and local tax revenue.

Earlier this year, Colonial Downs hosted the Commonwealth’s first Kentucky Derby qualifying race—the 2025 Virginia Derby—which was held before a sell-out crowd at Colonial Downs Racetrack on March 15, 2025. The track also hosts multiple “graded stakes races,” considered the highest level of competition in racing, including the Arlington Million, Beverly D, Secretariat Stakes, and Old Dominion Derby.

The Colonial Downs summer racing season will begin Wednesday, July 9 with live racing every Wednesday through Saturday until Saturday, September 16 and a special day of Monday racing on Labor Day.

By the Numbers

The eight Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums around Virginia:

• Support forty-four days of live racing in 2025
• Have helped increase the average purse at Colonial Downs to nearly $700,000
• Have generated more than $200 million in state and local tax revenue since 2019, including:
  • More than $115 million for the Commonwealth of Virginia
  • More than $48 million for New Kent County
  • More than $29.3 million for the City of Richmond
  • More than $21.9 million for the City of Hampton
  • More than $6.8 million for the Town of Dumfries
  • More than $10 million for the Town of Vinton
  • More than $1 million for the City of Emporia
  • More than $1.6 million for Collinsville

Source: Staff Presentation to Joint Workgroup on Historic Horse Racing 9/17/24

• Employ more than 1,700 team members across Virginia
• Pay more than $30 million in annual salaries, wages, and benefits
• Have contributed more than $5 million  to local charities and non-profits through the Rosie’s Gives Back program
• Support the broader equine community with dedicated revenue, including:
  • More than $4.4 million to the Virginia Breeders Fund
  • More than $4.4 million to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech
  • More than $4.4 million to the Virginia Horse Center Foundation
  • More than $4.4 million to the Virginia Horse Industry Board

Source: Staff Presentation to Joint Workgroup on Historic Horse Racing 9/17/24