WarHorse Casino in Omaha marked a significant milestone with the completion of its expansion on Tuesday. This development introduces 400 additional slot machines, two new dining options, and a skywalk linking the parking structure directly to the casino. Furthermore, the expansion creates 130 new job opportunities, expanding the workforce at the casino to a total of about 480 employees, according to Lance Morgan, CEO of Warhorse Gaming.

Revenue contributions and community impact:

Located in Omaha, the casino first opened its doors in August of last year. The casino is a collaborative project between Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic development branch of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, and the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. These same organizations also operate the WarHorse Casino in Lincoln, demonstrating a strong commitment to enhancing Nebraska’s gaming industry.

As reported in the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission’s 2025 revenue report, the Omaha location has generated close to $3.8 million in tax revenue since its opening in January. Of this amount, $2,659,180 is earmarked for Nebraska’s property tax credit cash fund. Meanwhile, the city of Omaha and Douglas County will each receive approximately $474,853.72 in tax revenue.

Despite the significant tax contributions, Lance Morgan emphasized that the true value of the casino lies in the broader economic impact, particularly the creation of jobs and the influx of economic activity into Omaha. “It’s the jobs and the economic activity,” Morgan said. He explained that much of the money spent on gambling in Omaha was previously flowing to casinos in nearby Iowa and other states. Bringing this revenue back to Nebraska is a major priority for the casino’s leadership.

Looking ahead: the future of WarHorse Casino:

Though the casino has yet to be fully constructed, Morgan remains optimistic about its long-term success. He pointed out that Ho-Chunk Inc. and the Winnebago Tribe have not profited from the two casinos yet, but they are confident that once the facilities are fully operational, financial returns will begin to materialize. The future vision for the casino is to continue growing, reinvesting profits into the community to fund projects like housing development, education, and job creation.

“The theory is, is we get these open, we start having some success, and we put more and more money back into our community, building homes, creating education, jobs, all of those opportunities,” said Morgan, as Nebraska Public Media reports. “We’re already known for doing that in our community, but I think that’s going to be community development on steroids when these are really going and functioning at full speed.”

WarHorse Casino Omaha’s expansion comes just weeks after another major development in the state. Earlier this month, the Grand Island Casino Resort held the grand opening of its $185 million facility. This resort, developed in partnership with Iowa-based Elite Casinos, includes 650 slot machines, 20 table games, a 162-room hotel, a show lounge, a spa, and multiple dining options. This addition, along with WarHorse Casino’s expansion, signals a significant shift in Nebraska’s casino and gaming landscape.

Since the beginning of 2025, the four racetrack casinos in Nebraska have collectively generated $10,848,850 in tax revenue, as reported by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. This surge in tax revenue reflects the expanding footprint of the state’s gaming industry and its growing economic influence.