In a session closed to the public, the Nebraska legislature’s General Affairs Committee recently discussed amendments to a casino proposal that would prohibit licensing any new racinos before January 2025.
The Nebraska Examiner reported the eight-member committee was not in agreement about the issue.
Committee Chairman state Senator Tom Briese proposed an amendment that would permit the state’s existing racetracks to relocate. He said that could allow the state’s only quarter horse track move from Hastings to North Platte. Briese’s amendment also would require an extensive “feasibility and sustainability” study of a new racino and its impact on the local economy before the Nebraska Racing Commission could grant a license.
The amendment also would require existing tracks to hold a minimum of five racing days and 50 live horseraces annually, beginning in 2026; by 2031, they’d have to hold at least 15 race days and 120 horse races a year. The proposal also sets minimums for new racetracks. Currently, racetracks must hold only one race per year. Critics said that hasn’t helped rebuild the state’s ailing Thoroughbred industry, which was a main argument for legalizing casino betting at racetracks.
Briese’s amendment also would raise the casino licensing fee from $1 million to $5 million.
State Senator John Lowe asked whether more than six tracks in Nebraska would be sustainable and attract enough racehorses. He noted California, with about 20 times the population of Nebraska, only has six racetracks.
State Senator Justin Wayne said the constitutional amendment voters approved in November, legalizing casinos at licensed racetracks, did not limit the number of venues. He said there was no reason to “stifle” the gambling industry. “Really?” responded state Senator John Arch. He said voters approved casinos only at “racetracks,” meaning the existing six tracks in Omaha, Lincoln, Columbus, Grand Island, South Sioux City and Hastings.
