Grand Island Casino Resort October 24 announced that its plans to build a temporary casino at the Fonner Park clubhouse have been approved by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. The building will begin immediately.
Currently there is one casino in Nebraska, WarHorse Casino, which opened its temporary casino September 24 with 433 slots. It plans to open its permanent casino resort, including a hotel, in November 2024, but any racetrack in the state is entitled to build a casino there.
Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak declared, “We are now shooting for an opening prior to Christmas,” noting that the timing is subject to supply chain issues.
The casino will have 300 slot machines, kiosks for live and simulcast horse racing wagering, a snack bar and club. Eventually blackjack, roulette and craps will be added to the temporary casino.
The permanent casino, when completed in late 2024 or early 2025, will include 650 slots, table games, a sportsbook, a hotel with 116 rooms, restaurants, a spa, pools and a show lounge.
The voters of Nebraska approved casinos at the state’s racetracks in 2020.
