The Rose Gaming Resort has officially opened its doors in Dumfries, Virginia, situated about 30 miles south of Washington, D.C. This new gaming venue, operated by Churchill Downs, Inc., offers an array of attractions including 1,650 gaming machines that replicate the experience of traditional Las Vegas slots through historical horse racing (HHR) technology. Complementing the gaming experience is a 102-room hotel, two full-service restaurants, and a food court featuring six different eateries.
One of the marquee dining options, The Play Book Sports Bar + Grill, plans to host free entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights starting November 8. For those seeking a more upscale culinary experience, 1609 offers a steak and seafood menu.
The gaming terminals at The Rose operate on HHR technology, which leverages previously run horse races and their associated parimutuel odds to determine the outcomes. The gaming interface mimics traditional slot machines, providing an engaging video experience that displays results through both graphical representations of past horse races and animations similar to regular slot games. According to The Rose, the parimutuel definition means the operator does not have a financial stake in the outcome, with the net pool returned to players.
Hotel rooms are available at rates beginning at $219 per night, with an additional $10 nightly resort fee and taxes, bringing the total to approximately $265.04. Future plans for the resort include the development of a 79-acre park on the site, which was previously a landfill in Prince William County.
Currently, The Rose Gaming Resort is in a soft opening phase, allowing over 400 employees to complete their training and adjust to their roles. A grand opening event is scheduled for Thursday, November 7. Guests who join the resort’s loyalty program, Rosie’s Rewards, can qualify to win up to $500 in free play, and those who visit at least five times within 28 days of enrollment will receive a guaranteed $125.
CEO William Carstanjen of Churchill Downs revealed that The Rose had its VIP-only event on October 21, with a soft opening for the general public beginning October 23. Carstanjen emphasized the importance of the soft opening to ensure the team could properly assimilate to the venue’s operations, stating it was a strategic move given the property’s size and their goal of delivering a top-notch customer experience.
The Rose is now the largest HHR facility operated by Churchill Downs in Virginia, adding to their portfolio of HHR gaming machines at seven other off-track parimutuel betting locations across the state. This expansion follows Churchill Downs’ acquisition of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) in November 2022 for nearly $2.5 billion. The acquisition included the Colonial Downs Racetrack, Rosie’s venues, and the rights to build a commercial casino in Richmond, pending voter approval.
Although Richmond voters previously rejected a $562 million proposal for a casino named the Richmond Grand, Carstanjen remains confident in the value of the P2E acquisition, citing Virginia as a fruitful investment environment. He highlighted the company’s growing footprint in the state and its strong partnership with the commonwealth.
Looking ahead, Colonial Downs is set to host a significant Kentucky Derby qualifying race in March 2025, marking a first in Virginia’s horse racing history.
