Nebraska casinos generated gross gaming income (GGR) of greater than $89 million of their first full yr of operation.
The non permanent WarHorse Sportsbook at Horsemen’s Park in Nebraska operates out of a modular trailer. Nebraska casinos gained about $89 million of their first full yr. Three non permanent casinos have been working on the finish of 2023. (Picture: Omaha World-Herald)
Nebraska voters accepted industrial casinos by a 2020 statewide poll referendum. The result allowed six horse racetracks to pursue gaming licenses.
5 of the tracks, together with Horsemen’s Park in Omaha, Lincoln Race Course, Agricultural Park in Columbus, Fonner Park in Grand Island, and Fairplay Park in Hastings are transferring ahead with casinos. Whereas the everlasting gaming flooring are being constructed, the state’s gaming statute permits greenlit tasks to open non permanent casinos to assist fund the developments.
There have been three non permanent casinos in operation final yr. WarHorse On line casino in Lincoln led the way in which with $51.5 million in 2023 GGR, with the power’s 400 slot machines accounting for $50.2 million of the win and sports activities betting the remaining $1.3 million.
WarHorse On line casino Lincoln opened on Sept. 24, 2022. The opposite on line casino open for all 12 months of 2023 was the Grand Island On line casino at Fonner Park.
Grand Island gained almost $30 million final yr, with $27.8 million from slots, $1.8 million from digital and reside vendor desk video games, and $245K from sports activities betting.
Harrah’s Columbus at Ag Park opened in mid-June final yr. Through the non permanent on line casino’s first 5 and a half months in enterprise, the power’s 500 slots and digital desk video games gained about $7.4 million. Slots accounted for greater than $7 million of the home win.
At Horsemen’s Park, WarHorse, which can be redeveloping that observe right into a on line casino vacation spot, opened a short lived sportsbook however doesn’t supply slots or desk video games. The ebook opened in November and gained $224K by December.
Stable Debut
Initiative 429, the 2020 gaming poll referendum, garnered robust help, with 65% of voters saying “sure” to racetrack casinos.
Its supporters promoted the statute as a technique to recoup the estimated $400 million a yr that Nebraskans gamble at casinos exterior the state every year. The referendum was additionally hyped to help the horsemen and create new jobs, taxes, and financial exercise.
The executives behind the venture say the total advantages gained’t be realized till the everlasting resorts open. However 2023 was a powerful begin to what they hope will grow to be a significant gaming market.
We’re very pleased with the outcomes,” Pete Graziano, vp of promoting at WarHorse, advised the Lincoln Journal Star. “We weren’t positive what to anticipate.”
Nebraska casinos generated roughly $17.8 million in tax cash, with 70% going to scale back property taxes. Host counties and cities obtain 25% of the taxes, which amounted to $4.45 million. The remaining cash supported drawback playing applications.
Stay Racing Element
To have slot machines and different playing, a on line casino should characteristic reside horse racing on its premises. Two of the 4 everlasting on line casino resort tasks contain the development of latest racetracks.
Caesars Leisure is relocating the AgPark observe northwest of downtown Columbus. The $75 million improvement will end in a 40,000-square-foot on line casino with 500 slots, 14 reside vendor desk video games, a Caesars Sportsbook, and a one-mile horse racetrack.
Elite On line casino Resorts is relocating Fonner Park to Ogallala close to the northeastern nook of Colorado. The $100 million venture features a on line casino ground with 650 slots, 20 tables, a 180-room lodge, and an RV park. Dubbed the Lake Mac On line casino Resort & Racetrack, the power may also embody a brand new quarterhorse racetrack.
