Objections from state lawmakers and residents of Henrico County have not deterred the gambling company Churchill Downs and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium from following through on developing a new casino-like parlor at Staples Mill Shopping Center.
County residents showed up in droves to voice opposition to the proposed building in Lakeside during a Dec. 5 public meeting at Henrico Recreation and Parks’ headquarters.
Rosie’s operates several skill games and betting machines across Virginia at gaming parlors in Richmond’s Southside, New Kent, Hampton and Dumfries. In 2022, Rosie’s parent company was purchased by the Kentucky-based horse betting company Churchill Downs, which partnered with Urban One in the 2023 failed attempt to establish a casino in the City of Richmond.
A standing-room audience of around 200 people listened to Brookland Supervisor Dan Schmitt, vice chair of Henrico’s board, and state Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D–Henrico) discuss how the county’s elected officials plan to approach residents’ concerns.
“I will tell you this now that the senator and I are here, staff is here, because if they [Churchill Downs] will not hear you, we will,” Schmitt said to the audience Thursday. “We will do this over and over again until you get all the answers to the questions that you have, and you will hear in a second from our senator what this group will do to continue to protect your right to be heard.”
How did Henrico get here?
The Henrico–Churchill Downs clash originally stems from the company circumventing the public approval process to build a gambling facility that holds 175 historic horse racing machines in a building off of Glenside Drive.
That ability was originally granted thanks, in part, to Virginia legislation passed in 2018 that permits the licensing of historic machines through the Virginia Racing Commission.
The measure also allows for betting — through terminals similar to slot machines — to place pari-mutuel wagers on replays of horse races that have already occurred.
At the time, Henrico’s zoning rules allowed any business the right to set up historical horse racing terminals in several zoning districts without public input.
However, Schmitt said the county had been in contact with Colonial Downs Group in New Kent County from 2018 through 2022 and discussed whether or not a horse race betting center would be formally welcome.
“It was very clear I would not be supportive of that location,” Schmitt said. “Although they had a by-right use, it was made clear to them that we could not be supportive and the words we were given by that partner at that time was, ‘We don't want to go where we're not wanted.’”
After those discussions, Colonial Downs’ parent company was purchased by Churchill Downs just as Henrico prepared to amend its local zoning ordinance to require additional public input for historic horse betting machines.
Churchill Downs submitted its by-right building permit to Henrico’s permitting offices before the code update would go into effect — circumventing the requirement for additional input.
Despite repeated efforts to speak directly with company representatives, the facility's operators have bypassed an opportunity to engage in public processes, causing dissent among residents like Tad Berman.
In 2014, Berman founded Virginians for Integrity in Horse Racing and Casino Gambling. He’s been vocal about the health risks gambling can have on Virginians, including financial stress, addiction, mental illness and increased risk of suicide.
In Virginia, lawmakers have banned some skill gaming devices despite copycat machine attempts to skirt the rules. Companies have filed suit over the commonwealth’s new measures.
“My angst is the way they [Rosie’s and Churchill Downs] have decided to forgo the opportunity for people to have a chance to speak their piece,” Berman told VPM News. “They’ve just turned their backs on them, and these are my neighbors. I’m trying to look out for all these folks.”
After learning how Henrico arrived at this point, residents who came to voice their objections to the proposed casino-style parlor were left with one question.
What happens now?
“You know the only thing that's going to get them to stop is shame,” VanValkenburg said to the audience Thursday. “That's one reason why we're trying to organize town halls, that's the reason why we're trying to organize letters …That's one reason why we keep beating the drum to try and get them to say you can do it, but it doesn't mean you should.”
VanValkenburg added he plans to appeal to Attorney General Jason Miyares’ office to examine some of Virginia’s previous historic horse racing laws.
Residents like Lauren Waaland-Kreutzer — who’s lived in Henrico nearly all her life — are devastated by the explanation provided by elected officials, but she’s motivated by the community’s involvement.
“It would have been great to see literally any sort of business that would be growth rather than be a drain or a blight in a community,” Waaland-Kreutzer told VPM News. “These businesses are predatory, can become addictive and be really harmful to our community.”
Waaland-Kreutzer added that seeing neighbors she didn't previously know come out and support one another gives her hope that something can be done to prevent this betting parlour from being built.
“That’s the most exciting thing that can come from this meeting,” Waaland-Kreutzer said. “If we can organize and share information after this, I think something good can be done.”
Representatives from Churchill Downs were not present at the Dec. 5 meeting, but a spokesperson with the company told VPM News that the company remains excited to receive the necessary approvals to develop a new facility that will “create jobs, generate tax revenue and offer exciting entertainment options.”
