Supporters are working to gather signatures to put an initiative on the ballot in Nebraska that would allow the state’s racetracks, including Ag Park and Atokad Park, and parks in Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island, Hastings, and Columbus, to become racinos by adding slot machines.
Atokad Park runs the legal minimum number of races to keep its license alive, while hoping that something will come along to save it. Like slots.
Ho-Chunk Inc., a corporation of the Winnebago tribe, which owns Atokad Park, is one of the backers of the initiative, which aims at the 2020 election cycle.
Horse racing is the oldest form of gaming allowed by the state constitution, which was amended in 1934 to allow racetracks. Bingo, the lottery and simulcast betting were added later. Casino gaming, and that includes slots, has never been allowed.
Two years ago Ho-Chunk attempted to qualify an initiative but failed when the secretary of state disqualified 31,600 of the 120,000 signatures submitted.
Ho-Chunk CEO Lance Morgan told the Sioux City Journal that the track would offer more races and invest more in the facility, including building a brand new casino, if allowed to offer slot machines.
Morgan said, “If there was casino gambling, we’d be able to race a lot more and afford to do it. Horse racing is sort of on life support in Nebraska, and if you can figure out a way to get more money into the purses, then more people will spend the time and money to raise the horses. It’s a very expensive business to be in.”
Racetracks are unanimous that they need the casino initiative to stay alive. Morgan added, “We’d not only have races, but we’d also build a casino facility here, with whatever was legally authorized.” Ho-Chunk would be willing to invest “millions” he said.
The casino initiative is in the beginning stages, which includes picking members for its team and naming attorneys and who will be in charge of gathering signatures. Morgan says surveys indicate Nebraska voters would support the measure, especially if it includes an element that would provide property tax relief.
