Colonial Downs’ off-track betting parlor in Vinton, Virginia closed in 2014, due to contract disputes between the previous racetrack owner and the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. This spring, Chicago-based Revolutionary Racing bought Colonial Downs, the state’s only thoroughbred racetrack, for more than $20 million. Officials want to reopen the track by spring 2019 and reopen four OTBs, including the shuttered Vinton facility plus Hampton, Chesapeake and Richmond later in the year. State law limits the total number of OTBs to 10.
Colonial Downs Group Chief Operating Officer Aaron Gomes said, “We’re excited by the overwhelming support and how we’ve been welcomed into these communities. It’s a privilege for us to be part of a community. We look forward to educating everyone on the projects we want to offer and to being good neighbors.”
The Vinton OTB would include a full restaurant, like it did previously, but it would be remodeled and all satellite locations would be renamed Rosie’s. The facility also would offer feature historical racing machines, which Revolutionary Racing required to be approved by the state legislature and Virginia Racing Commission as a condition of purchase.
The racing board expects to complete the regulatory structure for the machines by the end of this year. One issue involves caps on the number of machines that can be placed in each OTB. The horseracing industry wants the commission to drop a population-driven formula that it considers too restrictive. Under the draft proposal, Vinton would be limited to 150 historical racing machines. It’s asking for 500. Vinton Mayor Brad Grose said, “To be limited based on our population doesn’t seem fair. To succeed, we need to consider free market forces in determining the number of machines.”
Opponents include state Del. Chris Head who said, “I have a hard time with these kind of machines. They’re a slot machine by any other name. We’ve just never had that kind of gambling in Virginia before. It struck me as one of those camel’s nose under the tent type of things.”
Gomes noted historical racing machine legislation passed with a wide margin of support. He said people will appreciate them over time, and also pointed out they have been successful in other states. “It’s essentially just an entertaining way for people to bet on horseraces,” he said. He added the OTBs will be modern entertainment destinations, offering dining and the chance to bet on live or pre-recorded races.
The Vinton OTB would employ more than 100 people, according to Colonia Downs officials. The community would receive a small percentage wagers, food and beverage, business license, admissions and other local taxes.
The Virginia Equine Alliance, which Colonial Downs is partnering with, currently offers four, with locations in Henry County, Richmond, Henrico County and Chesapeake.
Colonial Downs hasn’t settled on a location for a potential Vinton facility, but Gomes said one ideal option would be to resume in the same building it once occupied.
That building has sat dark since 2014. Henry Brabham, who owns the property and used to lease it to Colonial Downs, said he’s had inquiries about the site but couldn’t comment further.
