Nebraska Gaming Commission is adding staff as gaming industry rapidly expands
The regulatory responsibilities of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission (NRGC) expanded significantly after the November 2020 election, when state voters passed a referendum to amend the Nebraska Constitution to allow for racing in the state’s 6 licensed racetracks to conduct commercial casino gambling. More than two and a half years later, the NRGC said it is still working to hire more staff to oversee the balloon industry.
The 2020 referendum would allow Knights Park in Omaha, Lincoln Raceway, Agricultural Park in Columbus, Fonner Park in Grand Island, FairPlay Park in Hastings and the shuttered Atokad Downs in South Sioux City to become casino-style Casino, become Las Vegas. All but Atokad Downs have converted their racecourses into casinos offering slot machines, table games and sports betting.
While the first permanent casino is not expected to open until next year, two temporary casinos are already operating. Lincoln's War Horse Casino opened a temporary venue in September and a temporary casino at the future Grand Island Casino in Fonner Park began operations in late December.
Nebraska gaming laws allow licensed casinos to operate temporary gaming areas while their full-fledged resorts are under construction. Caesars Entertainment will open its third pop-up casino on June 12 at Harrah's Nebraska in Ag Park.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Prior to the November 2020 referendum, the NRGC, known as the Nebraska Racing Commission, primarily oversees live horse racing in the state. As interest in horse racing wanes in Nebraska and nationwide, the Horse Racing Commission consists of just three commissioners and a staff of less than five.
When Harrah's Nebraska temporary casino opens next month, Nebraska will house more than 1,000 regulated slot machines. Each terminal must be checked and tested for compliance before the first player can play.
Slots must also undergo annual inspections. This is a time-consuming task for regulators, but one of the most important steps in ensuring the integrity of commercial gaming expansion in Nebraska.
The NRGC has been expanding its staff since last June, when the commission began receiving funds by issuing casino licenses for $1 million each. But while the agency has grown from three to seven commissioners, the NRGC still has fewer than 20 employees.
"We still have many, many more people to hire. I think when the casino is fully built, we're going to need about 50 to 60 employees," NRGC Executive Director Tom Sage told KETV in Omaha.
“A lot of people think we’re going to bring in a machine and plug it in and we’re good to go,” Sage said, explaining the regulatory process. "You just can't turn on the light switch. It's very complicated."
Casino veteran impressed
Sage said his agency will continue to seek qualified gaming regulators to join its staff.
"We currently employ about 18 people. That's not nearly enough," Sage explained.
Don Osert, general manager of Harrah's Nebraska, has more than three decades of leadership experience in the U.S. commercial gaming industry, and despite being short-staffed and new to the market, he's impressed with state gaming regulators.
“The word integrity is very important to our casino business,” Ossett said. "It's very similar to other states I've been to."
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Source: www.casino.org
