Gaming commission approves Lincoln casino, first in Nebraska

The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Fee accredited the primary on line casino license in state historical past Friday, paving the way in which for the WarHorse On line casino to open in Lincoln on Saturday.

Friday’s vote was unanimous, with Commissioners Tony Fulton, Shane Greckel, Shelby Bakenhus, Janell Beveridge, Jeffrey Galyen, and Chairman Dennis Lee all voting for the license, after which the assembly room burst into applause.

After the vote, Lance Morgan, President and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., WarHorse’s mother or father firm, mirrored on its significance.

“I understand that as we speak is a historic second,” he mentioned. “There’s by no means been a on line casino that Nebraska’s ever had. And so we’re actually proud to be part of it. We’ve labored on it for years, and to see it come to fruition it’s nearly surreal. Like, I’m having hassle believing it. However I do know tomorrow, we’ll open up and issues’ll get going.”

Nebraska voters approved casinos on the state’s racetracks in 2020. Lynne McNally of the Nebraska Horsemen predicted they’d flip horseracing round.

“It’s going to completely revitalize our trade,” she mentioned. “We’re going to return again as when Aksarben was one of many high 10 tracks within the nation. We couldn’t be extra excited.” She mentioned the Lincoln racetrack would develop from working one racing day per 12 months to between 60 and 80.

Morgan mentioned the Lincoln on line casino will function in a short lived facility till a brand new one is accomplished in about 18 months. He mentioned he expects a short lived facility to open in Omaha subsequent 12 months.