Nebraska's WarHorse Omaha Unveils Launch Date for Permanent Casino Establishment
WarHorse Casino Omaha, a venture by WarHorse Gaming — a division of Ho-Chunk, Inc., set for launch at Horsemen’s Park, awaits the green light from the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission (NRGC) by August.
WarHorse Gaming officials have marked August 6 for the grand opening of their permanent Omaha casino establishment, WarHorse Omaha.
Offering 800 slot machines, 20 table games, a sportsbook, and a modernized parimutuel wagering experience, the approximately $250 million facility packs in a restaurant, bar, and parking garage.
Slated at 6303 Q Street, WarHorse Omaha will later expand to incorporate more gaming area, an outdoor gaming patio for smoking, and a boutique hotel with 200 rooms.
Complying with Nebraska’s Clean Indoor Act that restricts tobacco smoking in most public areas, the casino venues adhere to the act.
A 2020 state-wide referendum allowed for horse racing tracks to operate slot machines, table games, and sportsbooks.
WarHorse Development Progress
The Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA) collaborated with WarHorse Gaming to renovate their racetracks into casino facilities. Beyond Horsemen’s Park, WarHorse is also crafting a casino at the NHBPA’s Lincoln Race Course.
WarHorse Casino Lincoln is another huge investment of a similar size, slated to launch this fall. The temporary casino, despite being smaller, will offer 430 slots, sports betting, and parimutuel wagering. It will debut with a 220-room hotel and events center. Unlike the Omaha destination, the Lincoln property houses a fine-dining steakhouse.
Horsemen’s Park is planned for a solitary day of live racing in 2024, set for September 29, rebranding as Legacy Downs at WarHorse Casino Lincoln. The renovated Lincoln Race Course will hold four race-days on September 20, 21, 27, and 28.
The NHBPA holds an abandoned racetrack in South Sioux City, Atokad Downs, which they hope to refurbish into a casino offering live racing in the following years.
After concluding construction on the two casinos, NHBPA plans to increase live racing dates annually, targeting 15 race days at Legacy Downs and five at Horsemen’s Park.
Gaming on the Rise
Since September 24, 2022, WarHorse has effectively managed a temporary gaming facility in Lincoln, situated within the Legacy Downs grandstand, offering 400 slot machines and the Winner’s Circle Grill. WarHorse Lincoln generated a gaming revenue of $51.5 million last year, placing it above all other provisional casinos in 2023. Grand Island’s temporary facility stood second at $30 million. Harrah’s Columbus, which opened at Ag Park a year ago and closed 2023 with $7 million in revenue, followed.
WarHorse Omaha unveiled a temporary sportsbook last November, generating GGR of $224K through December.
Caesars Entertainment pioneered the first permanent casino in Nebraska last month, opening Harrah’s Columbus, NE, Racing & Casino on May 17. The $100 million venture includes 400 slot machines, 11 live dealer table games, and a Caesars Race & Sportsbook. Two Marriott hotels nearby will accept overnight guests soon.
