Lawmakers voice opposition to casino-like facility in Henrico

HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - Some Henrico County leaders are pushing back against plans to build a casino-like facility.

The Colonial Downs Group and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium want to turn part of the Staples Mill Shopping Center into a gambling facility with 175 historical horse race machines.

On Tuesday, some of those lawmakers submitted a letter to the Colonial Downs Group and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium.

In the letter, those lawmakers say they oppose the project because they think it will bring undesirable changes to the community and because they feel it undermines the public input process.

The letter says in part:

“As state legislators, we are committed to advocating for the best interests of our constituents. Allowing this project to proceed without proper scrutiny and public input would be a disservice to the people we represent. We call on the Colonial Downs Group and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium to withdraw its application.”

The letter was signed by a mix of eight delegates and senators from both sides of the aisle.