WarHorse Gaming recently became the first operator to submit an official gaming license application to the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission.
The company is a subsidiary of Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. It hopes to start construction of casinos at Horsemen’s Park in Omaha and Lincoln Race Course soon after its application is approved, said Lance Morgan, chief executive officer at Ho-Chunk.
Morgan said, “The commission has done a phenomenal job in creating a comprehensive regulatory standard for an entirely new industry within the state. We are extremely excited the time has come for us to submit our application and begin the process of bringing world-class casinos that all Nebraskans can be proud of. As a Nebraska-based company, we are honored for this opportunity.”
WarHorse will invest a total of $600 million in the two properties, which will take 18 to 24 months to complete, Morgan said. WarHorse Lincoln is expected to open first, offering more than 1,300 gaming positions, a 196-room hotel, event space, several restaurants and live and simulcast horse racing. A temporary facility with 400 slots will open later this year.
In addition, the company will break ground on a $220 million, 67,000-square-foot expansion at Horsemen’s Park in mid-to-late summer. Plans also include major renovations at the existing facility. Drew Niehaus, spokesman for WarHorse, said the expansion and upgrades will result in a “dynamic casino, racing and entertainment complex.”
Niehaus said the new facility will offer more than 1,200 gaming machines and table games, plus live and simulcast racing, a live entertainment stage, multiple bars, food hall and coffee shop. A temporary casino with 800 gambling machines will open within 10 months after the groundbreaking, he said.
Nebraska voters approved gambling expansion at licensed racetracks in 2020. However, construction and renovations haven’t begun yet at any of the proposed locations due to regulatory issues.
“The state of Nebraska is launching an entirely new industry,” Niehaus said. “Obviously, there will be amendments, but they want to get it right from the get-go. It’s been a long process to get here, but we fully support the state taking its time.”
