One other Nebraska On line casino Proposed, However Gaming Enlargement Beneath Risk
The record of operators wanting to get themselves a future piece of Nebraska’s on line casino market is swelling.
May Nebraska show to be “the great life” for on line casino operators? State voters legalized casinos in 2020, however a latest research may restrict gaming growth within the state past its six current licensees. (Picture: StateScoop)
On Friday, representatives of a brand new hopeful, KRG Funding Group, briefed the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Fee (NRGC) on its proposal for a brand new horse-racing facility. The venture would have an accompanying on line casino resort within the metropolis of Fremont within the southeast portion of the state.
A spokesperson for KRG advised The Lincoln Journal Star that the corporate was within the “early levels of due diligence discussions” with metropolis officers, who appear to be receptive to the concept. Officers have recognized 4 potential websites for the venture, the spokesperson stated.
Casinos Tied to Horse Racing
Nebraska voters legalized on line casino gaming on the 2020 poll. That’s after they agreed to amend the state structure to permit industrial casinos on the state’s six licensed racetracks.
The brand new legislation additionally opened the door to new on line casino developments. However any operator who needs to enter the doubtless profitable on line casino market should additionally supply reside horse racing, a probably much less profitable prospect. Meaning they’ll have to construct or purchase a racetrack and achieve a racing license from the state.
The licensed racetracks which might be already eligible to construct casinos are Legacy Downs in Lincoln, Fonner Park in Grand Island, Horsemen’s Park in Omaha, Atokad in South Sioux Metropolis, FairPlay Park in Hastings, and Columbus Exposition and Racing in Columbus. 4 of those gaming services have opened short-term venues whereas their fundamental casinos are beneath building.
The Fremont venture is the seventh proposal for a brand-new racing and gaming facility within the state. Others are earmarked for Bellevue, Norfolk, York, North Platte, Gering, and Kimball.
Report Risk
An impartial report submitted to the state racing and gaming fee earlier this month may put the brakes on these new tasks, halting on line casino growth within the state.
The market research concluded there was “greater than enough capability with the state’s current six racing licenses to permit for a tripling or quadrupling of racing in Nebraska.”
“The info don’t help the addition of extra racing licenses,” it added.
The report was commissioned by the NRGC on the behest of state lawmakers, who need the company to investigate the state’s horse racing and on line casino markets and their socioeconomic influence each 5 years.
The NRGC is required by legislation to think about the potential socioeconomic influence of recent license functions. It should reject those who might be detrimental to the well being of the prevailing market.
The company was scheduled to debate the report at its Friday assembly.
