The gaming industry in Nebraska is experiencing a remarkable surge, with recent developments highlighting its expanding influence.
In an unprecedented achievement, casinos in Omaha and Lincoln posted record-breaking figures for gross revenue and tax contributions this October. These insights come from the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission‘s latest publication.
WarHorse Casino Omaha alone contributed nearly $1.9 million in tax revenue during October, while WarHorse Lincoln followed closely with $1.5 million. These represent the highest monthly figures ever recorded by the racetrack casinos.
Lance Morgan, CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., the parent company of the WarHorse brand, remarked that their casinos are beginning to divert patrons from Iowa’s gaming establishments.
“You have to think of it as an economic marketing war that’s happening in Omaha and Lincoln,” Morgan explained, “and we’re slowly winning.”
On a broader scale, slot machines across Nebraska, including those in Grand Island, Columbus, and Ogallala, collectively exceeded $20 million in gross revenue, marking a peak not seen since May. Table games at the racetrack casinos also saw an upturn, generating $2.2 million, while sports betting achieved $1 million in revenue for the first time this year.
According to Morgan, gaming revenue is subject to seasonal variations. “There’s seasonality to every month,” he noted, “but it shows that the investments made by the gaming companies are really starting to take off.”
Looking ahead, Morgan anticipates that mobile sports betting “will change the equation,” potentially boosting tax revenue by an additional $30 million annually. However, a petition aiming to legalize online sports gambling requires signatures from 10% of registered voters to qualify for the November 2026 ballot.
The expansion of WarHorse Lincoln is set to continue, with plans underway for a new casino in South Sioux City. This would become Nebraska’s sixth casino since the approval of racetrack casinos by voters in 2020.
