Judging from the recent job postings and social media activity, the Rose Gaming Resort in Dumfries is getting closer to its grand opening — and a spokesperson confirmed that it’s expected to be ready to welcome guests by the end of September.
The Rose project will bring historical horse racing (HHR) machines to Prince William County, the state’s second-most populous county and part of the Washington, D.C. metro area. It’s primed to be a flagship addition to the Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums brand, which currently offers HHR gaming, a form of digital Virginia horse race betting in seven locations throughout Virginia.
Two-phase project is a $400M investment in Dumfries area
While the venue will look a lot like a Virginia casino, it isn’t.
Modifications to the original plans, announced by Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) in February, expanded the Rose Gaming Resort to include 1,650 historical racing machines (HRMs), 500 more than initially planned. The resort also will feature a 102-room hotel, eight food and beverage options, and over 2,540 parking spaces in its first phase.
Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI, said in a February press release, “We are excited to announce that the Rose will open with 1,650 HRMs. We are proud to invest nearly half a billion dollars in Northern Virginia and look forward to creating local jobs and a world-class gaming destination.”
CDI estimates the Dumfries attraction will generate $35.5 million in annual tax revenues and result in the development of more than 500 full- and part-time jobs.
CDI also announced in February that it is planning a second phase of the project and that it intends to contribute $2 million to support the creation of a new community center, plus “a one-time contribution of $3.6 million to offset the town’s unrealized gaming tax revenues based on the previous developer’s projections of when the facility would open.”
The press release noted that “when the resort opens, all nontipped positions will pay at least $15/hour, and … [the Rose] will work with the town to promote local hiring.”
The Rose’s job board lists 46 different positions available ahead of the anticipated opening.
Slot machine-like HRMs bring in a robust monthly handle
CDI took over the Rosie’s chain in late 2022. According to the Virginia Racing Commission, HRMs have generated more than $400 million in handle per month through the first half of 2024.
While the machines rely on replays of thousands of horse races that have already been run, with player money pooled and implementing the pari-mutuel wagering system used with the live races of yesteryear, modern versions of the machines more closely resemble slot machines — but they provide a different gambling experience from slots found at Virginia’s three active casinos.
