The economic development arm of the federally-recognized Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska has reportedly premiered a new enterprise that is to manage a trio of casinos it is hoping to begin opening from next year.
According to a Wednesday report from the Star-Herald newspaper, the Ho-Chunk Incorporated entity revealed that its new WarHorse Gaming concern has partnered with the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association as part of a plan to bring casino gaming to state-licensed horseracing tracks in the communities of Lincoln, South Sioux City and Omaha.
Successful sanction:
The newspaper reported that the move comes after Nebraska voters approved a state constitutional amendment early last month to give existing horseracing facilities the ability to offer games of chance such as slots. Ho-Chunk Incorporated purportedly announced that it envisions being able to premiere limited casino gaming at the three venues under the stewardship of its WarHorse Gaming enterprise during the latter half of next year before ramping up operations sometime in 2022.
Definitive duties:
For its part and local television broadcaster KNOP-TV used its own Wednesday report to detail that WarHorse Gaming is to be responsible for gaming operations at the Midwestern state’s Lincoln Racecourse, Atokad Downs and Horsemen’s Park facilities with the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association remaining in charge of all horseracing activities. It explained that the two organizations have already begun cooperating while appointing Ho-Chunk Incorporated subordinate Blue Earth Marketing to act as their agency of record.
Future focus:
The broadcaster furthermore reported that Brian Chamberlain has been appointed to serve as the first Executive Director for WarHorse Gaming. The new boss purportedly used an official press release to assert that ‘this is an exciting time for Nebraskans’ as his team is working hard towards bringing ‘first-class gaming and entertainment to the state’.
Chamberlain reportedly pronounced…
“Though there is still a great deal of work to be done, we’re excited for the chance to bring a new industry to the state and with it an entirely new source of tax revenues and career opportunities.”