Officials at Ho-Chunk’s WarHorse Casino in Lincoln, Nebraska announced the venue’s temporary facility will open Monday, September 19, featuring more than 400 slot machines.
Lynne McNally, chief executive officer at Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA), said, “It’s unbelievable. I’m just so grateful and excited. Absolutely can’t wait for this to get started. We have some of the newest slot machines that are not in play in any other part of the United States.” NHBPA is partnering with Ho-Chunk Inc. at both WarHorse casinos in Lincoln and Omaha.
McNally said a major issue is filling about 100 more jobs at the temporary venue. He said, “We’re staffed right now at half capacity. There are $120,000 jobs or $14 to $15 an hour jobs.”
However, before the temporary casino can open and construction can start on the permanent facility, the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission must issue the operators a permanent gaming license. At an earlier meeting, commissioners said they wanted to make sure all background checks and other reviews would be met, including having the games certified by an independent lab. Commission Chairman Dennis Lee told Ho-Chunk officials the commission will hold a Zoom meeting “in a practical period of time before your opening to approve your conditional license to a full gaming operator’s license. ”
Construction of the permanent facility is expected to take 18 months to 24 months. The WarHorse casino resort in Lincoln will include more than 1,200 gaming stations, a 196-room hotel, event space, spa and several restaurants.
When the temporary Lincoln casino opens, it will have the Nebraska market all to itself, for at least a couple of months. Fonner Park in Grand Island announced it will begin construction on its own temporary casino on September 5, expected to open in mid-November in the concourse of its existing grandstand. The gaming commission has not yet approved the plans submitted by Fonner Park and its partner, Elite Casino Resorts.
WarHorse also plans to open a temporary casino at Horsemen’s Park in Omaha following completion of renovations to the existing complex in about 10 months. In addition, Columbus Exposition and Racing and its partner Harrah’s, may open a temporary casino in its current location while a new casino and racetrack are built across town.
