Henrico County has filed a legal petition challenging the Virginia Racing Commission’s approval of a license that allowed Churchill Downs Inc. to open the Roseshire Gaming Parlor at Staples Mill Shopping Center. The county argues that the commission’s approval was unlawful because it bypassed a local referendum on wagering via historical horse racing machines, which differ from the off-track betting approved by voters in a 1992 referendum. Henrico contends that the 1992 vote is outdated and irrelevant due to legislative changes in 2018 that introduced these machines, which resemble slot machines. The county also claims that Churchill Downs broke a promise to seek local approval before opening the facility and that the parlor’s operation will increase public safety costs, traffic, and administrative burdens.

The 25,000-square-foot Roseshire Gaming Parlor opened in late September with 175 historical horse racing machines, generating over $5.6 million in wagers in its first days. Henrico seeks a court ruling to nullify the license and stop Churchill Downs from operating the machines, citing harm to the community and lack of proper local review. Despite a bipartisan effort to hold a referendum on the facility earlier this year, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed the measure. The Virginia Racing Commission has declined to comment on the pending litigation, while Henrico officials emphasize that the facility’s operation without local input disregards community concerns and legal norms.