Virginia: Churchill Downs to open Rose Gaming Resort in September with 1,650 HRMs

Churchill Downs Incorporated has received approval from the Town of Dumfries, Virginia to open Phase One of The Rose Gaming Resort with 1,650 historical racing machines (HRMs). This number represents an increase of 500 HRMs from what CDI had previously announced. The Rose, located in Northern Virginia, is now scheduled to debut by the end of September 2024.

The facility will also open with a 102-room hotel, eight food and beverage options, and over 2,540 parking spaces. The total capital investment in the project is now expected to be $460 million, with approximately $160 million remaining to be spent as of December 31, 2023. The company will provide updated development plans for Phase Two at a later date.

As part of CDI’s commitment to the Town of Dumfries, the company will make a one-time, $3.6 million contribution to the town. CDI will also make a one-time $2 million contribution to support the design and development of a new community center, in addition to the public park currently being built on site.

“We are excited to announce that The Rose will open with 1,650 HRMs,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI. “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.”

The Rose is estimated to generate $35.5 million in annual tax revenues and result in the development of more than 500 full and part-time jobs, according to a press release issued by CDI.

The company had previously said that when The Rose opens, all non-tipped positions will pay at least $15/hour and that it will work with the town to promote local hiring.

The official groundbreaking ceremony for the gaming facility was held in January 2022 after the Dumfries Town Council approved plans in September 2021. The company also plans to open a new HRM facility in Kentucky in the first quarter of 2025.