Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Voters in Amherst County and Pulaski, Virginia, rejected two gambling referendums on November 3, 2026, blocking potential new Rosie’s Gaming Emporium locations operated by Churchill Downs Incorporated.
Good to know
- Amherst County rejected pari-mutuel betting by just 183 votes, while Pulaski voters opposed the proposal by 335 votes.
- Churchill Downs backed the expansion efforts, with more than $1.85 million contributed to the Commonwealth Wins campaign.
- Supporters promised new jobs and tax revenue, but opponents raised concerns about gambling addiction and local businesses.
Churchill Downs Expansion Plans Face Another Setback
Rosie’s Gaming Emporium already operates gaming facilities across Virginia, including locations in Vinton, Collinsville and Dumfries.
Unlike traditional casinos, Rosie’s offers historical horse racing machines that use results from previously completed races to determine payouts.
The machines look similar to slots, although Virginia regulates them as pari-mutuel wagering rather than conventional casino gambling. The facilities do not offer house-banked table games.
However, Churchill Downs cannot simply open new locations wherever it chooses. Virginia law requires local voter approval before the Virginia Racing Commission can consider licensing a satellite wagering facility.
Even a successful referendum would not guarantee approval of a specific Rosie’s development.
Pulaski Rejects Jobs and Tax Revenue Proposal
Pulaski officials had hoped a Rosie’s Gaming Emporium could generate between $1 million and $2 million in annual local tax revenue and create approximately 75 jobs.
Supporters argued that the additional income could help fund public services without increasing existing tax rates.
A petition campaign supported by Churchill Downs and a local councilman helped bring the proposal to voters for the first time.
However, 1,463 residents voted against pari-mutuel wagering, compared with 1,128 in favor.
Town Manager Todd Day expressed disappointment but accepted the outcome.
“The people spoke,” Day said Wednesday. “They don’t want it here, so I support that.”
Day also pointed to new restaurants and businesses opening in Pulaski as evidence of continued local economic activity.
Amherst County Rejects Gambling for Second Time
Amherst County voters had already rejected a similar gambling referendum in 2021, when opponents received 7,293 votes against 6,189 in favor.
The latest result was much closer. Opposition received 7,057 votes, compared with 6,874 supporting pari-mutuel wagering.
Campaign spending also increased considerably.
Commonwealth Wins reported more than $1.85 million in contributions linked to Colonial Downs. By comparison, Amherst Wins with Pari-Mutuel raised $364,410 during the earlier campaign, including $2,000 from Colonial Downs.
Despite the larger financial backing, voters again rejected the proposal.
Amherst County Economic Development Authority Director Lori Saunders said:
“The EDA saw Rosie as a great economic opportunity,” she said in a statement. “It would have brought jobs, investment, and revenue to the county.”
Meanwhile, Board of Supervisors member Tom Martin acknowledged the repeated rejection.
“It was put to the county citizens, and they have spoken again,” he stated.
Opponents had raised concerns about gambling addiction, potential crime, local business competition and changes to the rural community. County supervisors remained neutral.
Virginia Gambling Referendum Rules Limit New Attempts
Virginia generally prohibits localities from holding the same pari-mutuel wagering referendum more than once within three years.
Consequently, neither community can immediately repeat the vote if officials certify the results.
The reported totals remain unofficial while election authorities process provisional and qualifying mail ballots, with certification scheduled for December 7, 2026.
The post Virginia Voters Reject Two Rosie’s Gaming Emporium Casino Proposals appeared first on iGaming.org.