Date: November 4, 2024, 01:37h.
Last updated on: November 4, 2024, 01:48h.
The Rose Gaming Resort has officially opened its doors in Dumfries, Virginia.
Churchill Downs, Inc., has recently opened The Rose gaming resort approximately 30 air miles south of Washington, DC. The Rose features 1,650 slot-like gaming machines, a 102-room hotel, two sit-down restaurants, and a food court with six eateries.
One of the two full-service restaurants at The Rose, Play Book Sports Bar + Grill, will offer free entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights starting from November 8. Additionally, a steak and seafood outlet named 1609 provides a more upscale dining option.
The gaming experience at The Rose includes 1,650 historical horse racing (HHR) machines. These machines utilize past horse races and their associated parimutuel odds to determine winning spins. The HHR parimutuel wagering operation offers an entertaining video experience similar to slots.
The Rose elaborates on HHR:
Parimutuel means the operator does not have a stake in the wager outcome, and the net pool is returned to the players. HHR provides multiple entertainment paths. The cabinetry resembles a traditional game, but it functions like placing a wager at an OTB Kiosk. Results are displayed graphically from past horse races, with another screen providing animation akin to traditional games.
Rooms at The Rose are available for booking, with rates starting at $219. With additional fees and taxes, the total rate amounts to $265.04 per night.
Furthermore, The Rose has plans to open a 79-acre park in the near future. The resort was constructed on a former landfill in Prince William County.
Exciting Grand Opening Ahead!
The Rose Gaming Resort is currently in a soft opening phase, where over 400 employees are undergoing training and gaining operational experience. A formal grand opening celebration is scheduled for Thursday, November 7.
Guests who join the property’s loyalty program, Rosie’s Rewards, have a chance to win up to $500 in free play. Those who visit The Rose at least five times within 28 days of enrollment are guaranteed $125.
During the third quarter earnings call at Churchill Downs, CEO William Carstanjen mentioned that The Rose hosted a VIP-only event on October 21 followed by a soft opening of the gaming floor on October 23.
We opted for a soft opening for a few weeks after the VIP event to allow the team to properly adjust to the property’s size and ensure the best customer experience,” Carstanjen stated. “The turnout during the VIP event and soft opening confirms that we made the right decision.”
The Rose stands as Churchill Downs’ largest HHR facility in Virginia. The company also operates HHR gaming machines at seven off-track parimutuel betting locations under the Rosie’s Gaming Emporium brand in various cities.
Success in Virginia
Churchill Downs completed its acquisition of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) for nearly $2.5 billion in November 2022. This acquisition granted Churchill ownership of Colonial Downs Racetrack, Rosie’s venues, a potential commercial casino in Richmond pending approval, and The Rose, a $460 million project that commenced in early 2022.
Carstanjen expressed, “Virginia has proven to be a fruitful investment and a conducive business environment for us. We are eager to expand our presence and partnership with the commonwealth. Our HHR opportunities are intertwined with our operation at Colonial Downs Racetrack, as the exclusive operator of thoroughbred racing in Virginia.”
In March 2025, Colonial Downs will host a significant Kentucky Derby qualifying race, marking a historic moment in Virginia’s horse racing history.