Churchill Downs Just Bet Big on a Tiny Virginia Town

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-11-01

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) is making a serious move in Virginia. The company just got the green light to relocate its historical racing machine (HRM) venue in Henry County — and the new spot is a whole lot bigger than the old one. Let's break down what's actually happening and why it matters. ### A Bigger Home Near the Speedway The Henry County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a Special Use Permit for CDI's project. The new venue will sit north of the U.S. Route 58 Bypass and east of Old Greensboro Road, putting it right in the neighborhood of Martinsville Speedway. That location isn't random. Pairing a gaming venue with a racetrack that draws racing fans all season long gives CDI a built-in crowd of potential visitors. It's the kind of placement that makes a lot of business sense. ### From 37 Machines to 150 Here's the number that jumps out: the current Rosie's Game room in Henry County runs 37 historical racing machines. The new facility is expected to hold 150. That's roughly four times the gaming capacity. For anyone who's been squeezed into the smaller venue on a busy weekend, that's a welcome change. - **Current capacity:** 37 HRMs - **Planned capacity:** 150 HRMs - **Location:** Near Martinsville Speedway, Henry County, Virginia - **Status:** Special Use Permit approved ### What Are Historical Racing Machines, Anyway? If you're not from Virginia, this term might sound odd. HRMs are electronic terminals that let players bet on previously run horse races. The outcomes are already decided, but the races are shown without identifying information, so it plays out like a slot-style game. They've become a major revenue source for the horse racing industry in states like Kentucky and Virginia. And CDI — which owns Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby — has been steadily expanding its HRM footprint across the region. ### Why This Move Matters "This is a meaningful step forward for our Henry County operations," the company signaled through its expansion plans. The message is clear: CDI sees real growth potential in this part of Virginia. Think about it. A larger venue means more jobs, more tax revenue for the county, and a stronger draw for the Martinsville area. Local officials clearly saw the upside — they approved the permit without much drama. ### The Bigger Picture CDI has been quietly building out its regional gaming network for years. Between HRM rooms, casino properties, and its flagship racetrack operations, the company is positioning itself well beyond just one famous weekend in May. Henry County is one piece of that puzzle. But 150 machines in a town near a NASCAR-track-turned-horse-racing-hub? That's not a small bet. It's a confident one. For locals, the practical takeaway is simple: a bigger, more modern gaming venue is on the way. For the industry, it's another sign that historical racing is here to stay — and growing.