Nebraska Lawmakers Defeat Impact Study Delay

Sat, Mar 4, 2023

Nebraska lawmakers defeated a proposal to extend casino impact studies for four more years. The studies are required by the 2020 Racetrack Gaming Act, which authorized casinos at the state’s six existing horse racing tracks but would delay projects like the recently announced Harrah’s Nebraska (l.)

Nebraska Lawmakers Defeat Impact Study Delay

In a 2020 referendum, a large majority of Nebraska voters approved the Racetrack Gaming Act, a constitutional amendment allowing commercial casinos at the state’s six horse racing tracks: Lincoln Race Course, Horsemen’s Park in Omaha, Atokad Downs in South Sioux City, Fonner Park in Grand Isle, Ag Park in Columbus and Fairplay Park in Hastings.

The legislation requires the state Racing and Gaming Commission to conduct a market and socioeconomic impact study on statewide horseracing and casino gaming, plus studies for each county that already has a licensed racetrack. No new casino licenses can be issued until after the study is completed no later than January 1, 2025.

However, a recent bill, LB311, introduced by state Senator John Lowe, would have moved the study deadline to January 1, 2029. Lowe noted since the first casino isn’t expected to open until 2024, the gaming study only would offer limited impact conclusions. “We need real-world data,” he said.

Lowe’s proposed measure also would prohibit any expansion of gambling until the market study is completed, meaning counties that do not host a racetrack would not be allowed to pursue a casino until 2029. State Senator Rick Holdcroft, one of the lawmakers who successfully stopped Lowe’s bill, said, “Let others give casinos a try.”

Following the defeat of his bill, Lowe stated he’d continue to work on it. He said it would be “nice” to advance the measure this year but said it could wait until the 2024 session.

Here’s a look at current Nebraska racino projects:

  • Caesars Entertainment is partnering with the Platte County Agriculture Park in Columbus, and will open a temporary casino this month. The permanent Harrah’s Nebraska is set to open in March 2024.
  • WarHorse Gaming, a partnership of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, will develop WarHorse-branded casinos in Lincoln and Omaha. WarHorse also holds development rights for South Sioux City’s Atokad.
  • WarHorse Lincoln’s temporary casino opened last September. The permanent resort will open in 2024.
  • Iowa-based Elite Casino Resorts is developing Grand Island Casino at Fonner Park. A temporary casino opened in December and the permanent casino will open in 2025.