Colonial Downs will welcome horse industry supporters and Gov. Ralph Northam at a ceremonial event on Friday.
Northam will sign HB 1609, which allows slot-like machines to be used to bet on historical horse races — previously contested races that generate winning numbers.
The bill paved the way for the purchase of Colonial Downs by horse racing group Revolutionary Racing back in April.
At a New Kent Town Hall in May, Colonial Downs chief development officer Stefan Huba said that the group plans to renovate the facility and hire new employees in the coming months.
Huba also said that they plan to have live racing and reopening in 2019.
The special event will also include food, games and entertainment for horse industry and Colonial Downs supporters, according to a news release from Colonial Downs.
The ceremony will take place at 1:30 — 5 p.m., with the bill signing at 2:30 p.m, at Colonial Downs, 10515 Colonial Downs Parkway, New Kent. RSVP is required.
This article appeared in The Tidewater Review and Virginia Gazette