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State racing and gaming commission decides market study is incomplete, needs additional info

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State racing and gaming commission decides market study is incomplete, needs additional info


LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska Examiner) -The state agency that governs whether Nebraska needs more racetrack/casinos decided Friday that it needs more information before it can make that decision.

The move delivered a blow to several cities across the state — a list that now includes Fremont — that are seeking to join the state’s six existing racetracks in offering casino gaming in their communities.

The decision by the State Racing and Gaming Commission also served to delay consideration of moving a racing license from a quarterhorse track in Hastings to a proposed new track/casino in Ogallala, which would be the state’s first casino west of Grand Island.

Currently, only the existing, licensed racetracks in Lincoln, Grand Island, Omaha, Columbus, South Sioux City and Hastings are allowed to have casinos, under the 2020 vote by Nebraskans to allow casinos.

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But the Nebraska Legislature passed a bill that allows additional locations to be considered once the Racing and Gaming Commission completes a market/economic study to determine whether additional “racinos” (a racetrack with a casino) could be allowed in the state without harming the existing operations.

A $48,000 study

On Friday, commission members voiced doubts that a $48,000 market study, completed last month by New Orleans-based gaming consultants The Innovation Group, met the requirements of the study as required by the Legislature.

That led to 7-0 passage of a motion to require a committee to review the legislative requirements and then decide whether the current study should be supplemented, or if a brand-new study should be done.

“I’m not sure there’s enough data (in the current study) to allow the commission to make a good judgment on any expansion of current racetracks beyond our current facilities,” said Dennis Lee, an Omaha attorney and the chairman of the seven-member commission.

Representatives of Warhorse Gaming, the Lincoln racino, and the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, called for the Innovation Group study to be “thrown out” and a request for proposal be conducted to contract for a new study.

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Tom Zitt with The Innovation Group told the commission that because Nebraska has such limited racing days, it was not possible to completely access the impact of additional racinos on the existing racetrack/casinos.

But racetrack officials faulted The Innovation Group for never calling or visiting the state’s racetracks to seek data they needed for the study.

Commissioner Jeff Galyen, however, said that his motion left it open for a committee to determine whether a new study or is needed, or just an addition to the existing study.

Zitt said his firm would be willing to expand its report if it could get information about the expected increases in racing days and purses, data that would help the firm project the impact on racing.

Lake Mac Casino tabled

Brian Jorde, an Omaha attorney representing the proposed “Lake Mac Casino Resort and Racetrack” in Ogallala, asked the Commission to approve the move of the racing license to Ogallala from Hastings.

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He argued that the state statute directing the market study required the “initial issuance” of such a report, which has already happened. Jorde said the move could be approved now.

The attorney added that any market study will show that moving the racetrack 200 miles west to Ogallala is a benefit, and not a detriment, to the existing racetracks/casinos in the state.

Galyen, who is also an attorney, disagreed, saying the commission must wait for the market study to be updated or redone before it can approve a move or a new racino license.

The commission then tabled the request about the Ogallala move.

Fremont also wants a casino

Representatives of a group seeking a racino in Fremont also addressed the Racing and Gaming Commission on Friday. Fremont now joins Bellevue, Norfolk, North Platte, Kimball and York in expressing a desire to open a casino.

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David Bracht, an Omaha attorney for the Fremont group, said that the city is well positioned to host a racino and that it would have a positive impact on the community.

The commission took no action after the Fremont presentation, determining that it could not rule on any new racinos until the market study is updated or redone.

Executive director to retire

A request by Tom Sage, the executive director of the State Racing and Gaming Commission, to retire on March 12 was approved at Friday’s meeting.

Sage, who has been with the commission for two decades, has been on a leave of absence for health reasons in recent days.

His leave began after questions arose about a recent $30,000 purchase of semi-automatic rifles for casino security. There were also concerns about whether a legislatively required market study was adequately completed.

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Before approving Sage’s retirement, commissioners and an official with the racing industry praised the hard work Sage has done to transform the agency from only governing horse racing, to also regulating casinos.

The commission has ramped up from two full-time employees to 25 since the state’s first casino opened in 2022.

Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Cate Folsom for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com. Follow Nebraska Examiner on Facebook and Twitter.

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Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection

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Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection


LEXINGTON, Neb. (KOLN) – Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.

On Tuesday afternoon, an NSP Carrier Enforcement trooper conducted a commercial vehicle inspection on a semi tractor/trailer driven by Arwinderjit Singh, 30, of California, near mile marker 254 on Interstate 80.

Arwinderjit Singh mugshot(Dawson County Jail)

During the inspection, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. An NSP K-9 detected the odor of a controlled substance inside the cab of the semi, troopers said.

After searching the cab, troopers located 242 pounds of cocaine concealed underneath the sleeper bed, NSP said.

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Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds...
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.(Nebraska State Patrol)

Singh was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of an open alcohol container, no drug tax stamp and displaying a fictitious license plate.

Singh was lodged in Dawson County Jail, and his bond was set at 10% of $2 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12.

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Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

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Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas


OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Creighton Prep senior Zaiyahn Ornelas won his fourth consecutive Nebraska state wrestling title on Saturday.

According to NSAA records, he joins 39 other wrestlers in state history to accomplish the feat.

“It’s a great feeling,” Ornelas said. “It’s a feeling everybody wants.”

The senior ended his career as the 39th four-time state champion in Nebraska history, winning three at Wilber-Clatonia before joining the Jr. Jays.

Ornelas won three Class C state titles at Wilber-Clatonia at 106, 113 and 120 pounds before transferring to Creighton Prep for his senior season, where he competed in Class A at 126 pounds.

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“Three state titles there and then just thought I could bump up my competition,” Ornelas said.

“Zaiyahn is one of the cleanest technicians I’ve ever seen. That’s a huge testament to his coaching staff at Wilber,” Fisher added.

Ornelas was one of four Creighton Prep wrestlers to win state titles this season, helping lead the Jr. Jays to the Class A team title. Teammates said his presence in the practice room raised their level of competition.

“I could never slack off just because my competition in the state was easy. I always had to come in this room and get better or else I was going to get beat,” said sophomore Cruzer Dominguez, a two-time Class A state champion at 106 and 120 pounds.

Sophomore Kameron Green, the Class A 144-pound state champion this year, also credited Ornelas for aiding in his development.

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“Zaiyahn being a training partner has helped me in tremendous ways,” he said. “When he wrestles, he’s not the nicest or shyest kid, but he’s tenacious and tough.”

The sophomore won his first state title after finishing as a runner-up at 126 pounds as a freshman.

Junior JT Smith, a two-time state champion at 175 and 190 pounds, said the achievement carries weight for the entire team.

“It’s something really special to have a teammate that’s a four-time state champion,” he said. “That’s something everyone wants to be.”

The junior finished the season as a back-to-back state champion after winning a gold medal at 175 pounds as a sophomore.

Fisher said Ornelas’s attitude set the tone from the start.

“He has so many skills and then coming into our room, he’s extremely coachable. Every time he came in here he was humble, ready to work, wanting to get better and that’s why he is as good as he is,” Fisher said.

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Ornelas signed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska in November. He said the move to Creighton Prep delivered what he was looking for.

“This is the reason why I came here. I went out to explore, to find the best, and this is the territory that I found. If it wasn’t for these guys — the push — I would have not been there,” Ornelas said.

“It’s hard to believe. That’s kind of what I wanted since the beginning, freshman year,” he said.

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Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

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Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition


LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has selected a former state senator and longtime board member to lead the chamber while it searches for a new president and CEO.

Board of Directors Chair Pat Keenan said Thursday that Matt Williams of Gothenburg agreed to serve as interim president.

ALSO READ: Nebraska Chamber president and CEO resigns after less than a year

“The Board is grateful to Matt for stepping into this role during a very active and productive time for the Nebraska Chamber,” Keenan said. “He has steady leadership, strong relationships and trust from his many years of advocacy for economic development, and decades of experience working with the legislature and state government on tax policy and economic development incentives.”

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Matt Williams(NE Chamber)

Williams represented District 36 in the Nebraska Legislature from 2015 to 2023.

The chamber said Williams has had a lifelong career in banking and serves as chairman of Flatwater Bank. He previously served as chair of the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association.

His long involvement with the chamber includes membership on the Board of Directors; he currently serves as director for District 6. In 2025, he was named to the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.

“The Nebraska Chamber is on rock-solid footing, with the clear vision of the Board, and talented and hard-working staff hitting its stride in legislative policy and advocacy, technology, manufacturing, leadership-development, fund-raising and membership. The success of cutting-edge initiatives like 6 Regions, One Nebraska, the launch of the Go Big Future series, and the strong member engagement across the state demonstrate the success and strength of this organization. I’m excited to lend my support in whatever way I can for the Chamber. I know how strong businesses and communities make for a stronger Nebraska, and I’m glad to be part of that.”

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