The town of Dumfries in northern Virginia could become home to a hotel, entertainment and gaming site.
The Town Council heard a proposal from the Colonial Downs Group for the $389 million project at its February meeting.
A Rosie’s Gaming Emporium opened in Dumfries in January, and according to the presentation to the council, it has already drawn 21,000-plus visits and provided 100 jobs. The Colonial Downs Group operates Rosie’s facilities in Virginia.
It is the fourth satellite Rosie’s to open in Virginia, which has locations in Richmond, Hampton, Vinton. The host site is located at the Colonial Downs horse racetrack in New Kent County.
The facility in Dumfries, when proposed, was allowed 150 terminals for historical horse racing. A change in the legislation now allows for 1,800 capacity, which allows for the planned expansion.
The project proposed for Dumfries won’t be a casino. Currently, state law allows for five approved casinos in the state — though the one proposed in Richmond still must be voted on by residents in November.
Residents voted to approve Virginia casinos in Portsmouth, Norfolk, Bristol and Danville in November 2020. The Virginia Lottery Board approved emergency regulations to get the process rolling in February.
The Dumfries venue would include 50,000 square feet of gaming space, eight bars and restaurants, and a 200-room hotel. The gaming space would be for historical horse racing machines, which by state law are for parimutuel wagers. There will be no table games.
There is a plan for a sports bar and sports betting, which was approved by the General Assembly last year. As of February, there were five sportsbook operators approved in Virginia.
It would be located at the Potomac Landfill, and would include a 79-acre public park and 1,500-seat theater.
’Great Entertainment Options’
In an interview with the Prince William Times, Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood said, “The landfill has been an eyesore for this community … and this is an opportunity to go to the community and say, not only is a developer going to get rid of the landfill … but we’re going to bring you something you can use, and your family can use, and … bring some great entertainment options.”
The Rose Gaming Resort, according to the presentation, would have an economic impact of 1,490 jobs, and an estimated tax revenue of $48 million to Dumfries, Prince William County and the state.
“The resort will provide gaming entertainment options for Northern Virginia patrons with high quality amenities and entertainment. This will allow Virginia to recapture a sizable share of the entertainment spending that currently goes to Maryland gaming venues,” said George Mason University’s director of regional analysis Terry Clower, in the presentation. Clower wrote the independent economic impact report.
Opening in 2023?
The plan calls for The Rose to open in 2023, and would have the current Rosie’s location converted to a workforce development center that would provide gaming and hospitality training.
The timeline presented to council has the plan going before the planning commission and up for council approval in the spring, with a groundbreaking in August.
The Prince William Times reports the project would close the landfill about 11 years ahead of its scheduled closure.
The proposed Dumfries venue would be about 30 miles from the MGM National Harbor in Forest Heights, Maryland.
Peninsula Pacific Entertainment is the parent company of Colonial Downs and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium.
