As Rosie’s Gaming Emporium Hours Return to Normal, Colonial Downs Eyes Expansion

Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums have returned to normal business hours, and they could also soon expand to the Virginia city of Emporia.

Rosie’s locations offer historical horse racing (HHR) and on-site racebooks. However, the gaming parlors have been operating with reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, most Rosie’s locations will be open until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 4 a.m. on weekends.

On this Monday, March 1, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam eased some of the business restrictions in the commonwealth. The changes affected restaurants and bars, and it also eliminated the midnight to 5 a.m. curfew.

Rosie’s Hours in Virginia

Rosie’s currently operates locations in five VA cities and towns. All of them closed at the onset of the pandemic.

They ultimately fully reopened on July 1 with reduced hours and limited capacity.

Now, though, here are the new Rosie’s hours, which return to pre-pandemic times for opening and closing:

• Richmond: 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. daily
• Hampton: 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily
• Vinton: 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday-Thursday; 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. Friday-Saturday
• New Kent: 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday-Thursday; 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. Friday-Saturday
• Dumfries: 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday-Thursday; 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. Friday-Saturday

Last call for alcohol is 11:15 p.m. each night, and all alcoholic drinks must be off the gaming floor by 11:55 p.m.

Rosie’s HHR locations will continue to operate at reduced capacity to help ensure social distancing. Check out the “Extra Care” section of the Rosie’s website for all of the locations’ safety measures.

Rosie’s HHR machines look and play much like traditional slot machines, though they have a few small but significant differences that helped make legalization possible in 2018.

As Casinos Await, Rosie’s Eyes Further Expansion

Colonial Downs, which owns the historical horse racing parlors, is also looking to bring a super-sized edition of Rosie’s to the town of Dumfries. In addition to HHR and off-track horse race betting, the new Dumfries location would have a hotel, meeting and event space, a 1,500-seat theater, and bars and restaurants.

Additionally, officials recently announced they’ve been in talks with Emporia officials about opening a Rosie’s location in the city. Emporia is located in southeast Virginia and has approximately 5,500 residents. The project, which awaits a voter referendum, would create approximately 100 jobs with an average compensation package of $47,000, according to the announcement.

According to Colonial Downs Group Chief Operating Officer Aaron Gomes:

“We could not be more excited by this opportunity to bring a first-rate entertainment and gaming experience of Rosie’s to Emporia. In the months ahead, we look forward to sharing our positive story of job creation, economic development, tax revenue generation, and, equally importantly, fun, with the residents of Emporia. From Vinton to Hampton, we have helped spur economic growth that has lifted up communities all across Virginia. We would be honored to do the same in Emporia.”

Beginning next year, Virginia casinos will begin opening in up to five cities after recent legalization. Those big-buck casino-resorts will vie with Rosie’s for customers. Those casinos can also offer games – blackjack, craps, roulette, and poker, for example – that Rosie’s HHR locations can’t.

However, Rosie’s is also looking to grab a part of that casino market, too. Colonial Downs and its partner Urban One are one of six groups Richmond casino project. Richmond voters could green-light the casino during a referendum in November.

If chosen, Colonial Downs would build a $517 million, 300,000 square-foot casino-resort that would create 1,500 full-time jobs and $47 million in annual tax revenue. Officials said they’ve already partnered with Live Nation and would hold 200 annual live music concerts and other entertainment events at the resort.