Churchill Downs Virginia Revenue Slips 5.6% in October
Gross revenue from Churchill Downs' historical horse racing machines fell across most Virginia properties in October, led by Richmond-area slot parlors.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Gambling
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Churchill Downs' historical horse racing machines in Virginia posted a blended 5.6 percent revenue decline in October. Only two of its Virginia properties were revenue-positive that month, while Richmond-area slot parlors recorded steep double-digit declines.
Why it matters
The declines show how competition can shift gambling spending within a state, with Cordish Gaming's Class III casino in Petersburg identified as a factor behind losses at nearby Churchill Downs locations. The results matter for Virginia residents tracking the state's regulated gaming market.
Churchill Downs' blended historical horse racing machine revenue fell 5.6 percent in October, while the Rose casino in northern Virginia grossed $15.2 million, a 5.7 percent increase. Colonial Downs plunged 18.1 percent to $3.5 million, and the Richmond-area Rosie's fell 17.8 percent to $10.4 million.
The players
Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs is the Kentucky-based operator of the Kentucky Derby and a major owner of historical horse racing and slot parlor operations across several states.
Cordish Gaming
Cordish Gaming is a Baltimore-based casino developer and operator whose Class III casino in Petersburg competes with nearby Virginia gaming properties.
The details
Gross revenue was reported per property and per machine per day, showing the steepest declines at Churchill Downs properties within the catchment area of Cordish Gaming's Petersburg casino. Churchill Downs also backed ballot initiatives to bring Rosie's parlors to Amherst County and Pulaski.
Timeline
October 2026: Churchill Downs Virginia gaming revenue declined.
First week of November 2026: Churchill Downs backed Amherst County and Pulaski ballot initiatives.
Industry Dynamics
Virginia's expansion of legal historical horse racing and slot parlors has added competing properties in a limited market. The October declines at Churchill Downs locations near Cordish Gaming's Petersburg casino suggest that new Class III competition is now pulling spending away from established parlors.
Virginia residents who play historical horse racing machines or slots should expect the availability and experience at nearby parlors to shift as new competition opens. Players deciding where to spend gaming budgets may find that some local properties have lower recent revenue trends than others.
The takeaway
Monitoring monthly revenue reports can show which Virginia gaming properties are gaining or losing ground as new competitors enter the market. Readers interested in the state's gaming trends can track those releases to see whether the October declines continue.
Further reading
For more on the state's regulated market, see Gambling coverage across Virginia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CDC Gaming.
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