Supporters safe sufficient signatures to place Rosie’s-style betting referendum on poll

AMHERST COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — The combat over whether or not a Rosie’s Gaming Emporium might come to Amherst County is heating up, with supporters now accumulating sufficient legitimate signatures to place the query earlier than voters.

In a number of months, Amherst County voters will determine whether or not to permit pari-mutuel betting at satellite tv for pc amenities within the county. If authorized, it could clear a key hurdle for Churchill Downs Incorporated to pursue a Rosie’s Gaming Emporium. Churchill Downs Incorporated initiated the referendum course of in Amherst County.

Rosie’s amenities, whereas usually in comparison with casinos, are legally categorized as pari-mutuel historic horse racing amenities.

Supporters argue the challenge might deliver further leisure choices and new income to the county.

“You don’t have to go to even Roanoke to be able to hear a band, to have a night out with dinner, to have drinks. You can do that right in your community and not have to leave. And that’s huge,” Ryan Saylor, a spokesperson for Commonwealth Wins, an organization backing the referendum effort, said.

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The issue has divided Amherst County voters before. A similar referendum was rejected in 2021 by more than a thousand votes.

“Respect the vote, Amherst. We said no. We don’t want them to just keep asking until they get the answer they want. Just respect that Amherst County doesn’t want Rosie’s here,” Tobey Thurston, who leads the opposition group ‘Respect the Vote, Amherst,’ said.

Thurston also said she believes a Rosie’s facility could hurt locally owned businesses, raising concerns over customers being drawn away from local restaurants.

Saylor said a Rosie’s facility could generate about $2 million in annual gaming-related tax revenue.

“That will pay for police officer salaries and improving public safety in Amherst County that helps schools. It really does quite a bit to be able to help the local community, keeping those dollars there,” Saylor stated.

But Thurston stated she does not like that the tax income comes from locals’ losses.

“The tax revenue comes from people losing money. So I just think that there’s a better way,” Thurston stated.

Now the choice is finally as much as you. You can vote within the referendum on November 3.