Warhorse Casino Talks Nebraska Sports Betting Launch Date

• After Nebraska legalized sports betting in 2021, no infrastructure existed to take bets until now with the building and eventual launch of Warhorse Casino in Lincoln.
• The casino is expected to launch by the end of May, timed perfectly for the NBA Finals and College World Series.
• The tax revenues for the state are expected to allocated about 2.5% to the State of Nebraska Gamblers Assistance program.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska’s long-awaited Warhorse Casino in the capital city is under construction and is expected to massively expand the gaming options. The facility is also set to begin operation of its sportsbook ahead of time, with an expected launch by the end of May.

This news comes after two years of patience from resident after Nebraska sports betting was regulated in May of 2021. Now with the casino expected to become the first entity in the state to take sports wagers, Nebraska will be undergoing a legal sports betting revolution.

Everything You Need to Know About Warhorse Casino

Warhorse Casino is a $200 million casino that is going to be operated by the Winnebago Tribe’s WarHorse Gaming LLC. Construction began on July 12, 2022 and is expected to finish up in September of 2023.

In September of 2022, the casino opened its first phase that included 433 slot machines, a 9,000 square foot gaming area, simulcast and live racing, and will also take sports wagers starting around the end of May, 2023. The second phase of the casino has an expected launch date of September 2023 and will add on a hotel with 220 rooms, an event center and a steakhouse restaurant.

Several developments have slowed down the construction and launch of the remaining parts of the casino, such as higher interest rates, supply chain issues, and ongoing endeavors to fix the roads and sewer system.

While construction is not expected to slow down, Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association vice-president Lynne McNally has stated that a big challenge will be balancing an active construction zone with the opening of the sportsbook.

Legal Nebraska betting has proven to be a huge success so far, generating around eight million dollars of tax revenue for the state. Of that money, 70% goes to the State of Nebraska Property Tax Credit Fund, with 12.5% more to the county and city each and the remaining five percent being split up between the Nebraska General Fund and the Nebraska Gambler’s Assistance program.

Overall, the Warhorse Casino in Lincoln is expected to become the state’s premier casino and is outfitted with all the tools to greatly expand on the gaming options in the state. The historic first-time reception of sports wagers also signifies a big turning point in the state that will no doubt pay dividends for their tax revenue. Nebraska is just one of the many states across the U.S. that has gradually accepted sports betting as an industry and that trend is not expected to slow down anytime soon.

News tags: Lynne McNally | Nebraska | Nebraska Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association | Warhorse Casino | Winnebago Tribe