Warhorse Casino in Lincoln, Nebraska, became the first facility to offer sports betting in the Cornhusker state. The resort, owned by Ho Chunk Inc., said their 10 kiosks and one window were open for business as of June 22.
“Nebraskans have been asking for the opportunity to wager on sports since the ballot initiatives were passed in 2020,” Lance Morgan, CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., the parent company of WarHorse Gaming LLC, told the Lincoln Journal Star. “We’re thrilled to be the first casino in the state to offer sports betting.”
Legislators first approved in-person sports betting on March 18, 2021. It was signed into law by Gov. Pete Ricketts.
The law allows sports betting only at retail sportsbooks. An effort to approve online wagering and mobile apps failed. Customers at WarHorse, however, can use their mobile app to place wagers as long as they are on site.
The rollout comes just as one of college sports biggest events is taking place. The NCAA men’s College World Series (CWS) has been a fixture in Omaha, Nebraska, since 1950. While state regulations prohibit placing wagers on in-state college teams playing at home, no Nebraska team is in the CWS this year.
Those running the sportsbook at the WarHorse are hoping that, along with upcoming events such as NASCAR and the MLB All-Star game, will be popular among local bettors.
Nebraska’s sports wagering catalog was approved last month by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. Bettors will be allowed to wager on the popular sports, such as the NFL, NBA, and NHL, but also on more niche sports, such as golf, tennis, professional bull riding, and motorsports.
The other two casinos in the state, Grand Island Casino Resort and Harrah’s Casino at AG Park in Columbus, have said they are planning on offering sports betting in the future.
