Two temporary casinos are set to open in Lincoln and Grand Island, Nebraska this fall. Officials at Warhorse Casino announced a temporary casino with 400 slots will open in Lincoln, Nebraska in mid-September while the permanent facility is built.
Lynne McNally, chief executive officer at the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Warhorse’s partner in the Lincoln and Omaha casinos, said, “The building that we own in Omaha is almost 30 years old and the building that we own in Lincoln is seven years old. That’s why we had to do very little to Lincoln. However, to be able to get temporary operations going in Omaha, we have to gut the entire building and basically renovate and make everything brand new.”
In addition to rehabbing the Omaha location, McNally said the street leading to the property is being widened; Warhorse will pay the costs for the road improvements. McNally acknowledged the road construction will cause temporary access issues. However, she said, “The street improvements are going to help everybody for years and years to come and they’re long overdue.”
Construction of a temporary casino at Grand Island’s Fonner Park will begin in September after the Nebraska State Fair. Fonner Park Chief Executive Officer Chris Kotulak said, “Two days after, we’re going to start the demo in the concourse area. The plan is to get the slot machines up and running, and as we draw closer to when the resort would be open, the permanent casino and hotel, when that gets ready to be opened that’s when they’ll probably fold-in some of the table games. Or, they’ll just do it right off the bat.”
The temporary casino is expected to open by and be operational for “at least two years,” said Kotulak, who called the coming casino resort, which will include a 5-story hotel, “a very big thing.”
He emphasized, “All along, we said we’re not going to just open up some metal shed and throw in some slots and call it done. We want people to have as good a customer experience as they can without the final result.”
He said a 30-second commercial for the temporary casino will start airing soon. It announces, “Get ready, Nebraska! Grand Island Casino Resorts temporary casino is coming soon to Fonner Park! Get in on the action!” The spot also notes the temporary casino will offer 300 slot machines, live table games and “the thrill of winning.”
