The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission (NRGC) unanimously approved the Aug. 6 opening of the permanent WarHorse Casino location. In the site’s temporary facility, WarHorse already features a sportsbook and simulcast horse racing, both of which will move to the new facility. 

Key takeaways 

Nebraska’s gaming tax in June slows down from May. 

Once WarHorse’s permanent venue opens next month, it will become the second WarHorse casino in Nebraska and the fourth retail sportsbook. 

Located in the state’s largest city, the new casino is expected to generate more revenue for the state and could outperform its competitors. 

The company building WarHorse is among the leaders lobbying for legalizing online sports betting in Nebraska. 

Three out of four NE casinos report monthly decreases in gross income 

During June, four Nebraska casinos reported June 2024 gaming tax as follows: WarHorse Gaming Lincoln: $890,858.05 (6.68% monthly drop) Grand Island Casino & Resort: $424,227.60 (29.31% monthly drop) Columbus: $453,398.90 (23.48% monthly rise) WarHorse Gaming Omaha: $13,110.94 (33.18% monthly decline) As a result, the state collected $1,781,595.49 in gambling taxes in June, an 8.24% monthly drop. While all Nebraska gaming venues reported an annual increase in tax receipts, Columbus was the only Nebraska casino that stated a monthly increase in gaming tax in June. Meanwhile, WarHorse Gaming Omaha showed the biggest monthly decrease.

 Permanent WarHorse Casino Omaha to open Aug. 6 

As mentioned, the NRGC last week unanimously approved the Aug. 6 opening of WarHorse Omaha’s permanent location. WarHorse Omaha received approval to add a retail sportsbook less than a year ago. To carry out this project, the Winnebago Tribe and its firm Ho-Chunk teamed up with the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA). Once completed, the permanent location will have 925 gaming positions, table games, and Sweetwater Café, owned by Ho-Chunk. 

The casino, located at 63rd and Q Streets, is paired with the Horsemen’s Thoroughbred racing track. A second phase is expected to open in the spring of 2025, with 400 additional positions, a smoking area, and more dining options. 

According to a news article by the Omaha World-Herald, WarHorse CEO Lance Morgan said the vote was “a pretty seminal moment” for the gaming industry in Nebraska and the Winnebago Tribe. Morgan, who is also CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic arm of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, emphasized: “In some ways, I’ve been working on this for about 30 years. And so it’s almost hard to believe. A little surreal. But I can’t wait to actually see it open. And then, like anything else, we’ll just get to the next phase and the next phase and keep it growing.” 

WarHorse Casino Omaha is the fourth operated by the Winnebago Tribe. The tribe already runs: 

Nebraska’s Iron Horse and Native Star Casinos

 Iowa’s WinnaVegas Casino

 NE lawmakers to return in late July to discuss online sports betting

 According to the Nebraska Examiner article, Gov. Jim Pillen confirmed his intentions to bring state senators back for a special session. Starting Jul. 25, the Nebraska state legislature will meet for a session focused on providing property tax reform. Nebraska’s gaming officials and casinos, led by Ho-Chunk, are lobbying Gov. Pillen and the state lawmakers to discuss online sports betting during this session. 

Therefore, part of the discussion would be dedicated to legislation that would put an amendment authorizing mobile sports betting on the November vote. Although many steps and obstacles remain before Nebraska can legally introduce online sports bets, the proposed legislation is a big step forward for potential online gambling in Nebraska.