In the American state of Nebraska and WarHorse Gaming LLC has reportedly been granted provisional permission to bring large racetrack-based casinos to the cities of Omaha and Lincoln.

According to a Thursday report from the Sioux City Journal newspaper, the consent means that the enterprise of the federally-recognized Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska will now be able to begin work on casinos for the jurisdiction’s existing Horsemen’s Park and Lincoln Race Course facilities. This purportedly comes approximately 19 months after local voters approved a measure to allow racetracks across ‘The Cornhusker State’ to offer Las Vegas-style entertainment including slots and gaming tables.

Interim interest:

WarHorse Gaming LLC reportedly revealed last week that it had asked the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission for the pair of casino licenses while continuing to examine the possibility of opening a third such venue within the Atokad Park horseracing complex in the community of South Sioux City. As part of this certification process and the operator was purportedly able to simultaneously apply for 90-day provisional authorizations that allow it to secure financing, bring in equipment and commence construction.

Summer start:

Lance Morgan serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska’s Ho-Chunk Incorporated concern and he explained that WarHorse Gaming LLC is now looking forward to partnering with the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association in order to bring casinos to the sites in Omaha and Lincoln. The figure moreover disclosed that the five-year Nebraska gambling licenses could be awarded by the end of July to enable the enterprise to immediately debut temporary gambling-friendly facilities while construction continues.

Reportedly read a Thursday Facebook post from Morgan…

“Good news, we got the provisional licenses for the Omaha and Lincoln casinos. Now we can take the next steps to get open.”

Lincoln layout:

For her part and the Executive Vice-President for the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Lynne McNally, reportedly divulged that the envisioned WarHorse Casino at Lincoln Race Course facility could now be open from as soon as June of 2024. She purportedly went on to note that this $220 million project is scheduled to feature a 196-room hotel, several restaurants, a spa, an events space and a casino with as many as 1,200 slots.

Omaha optimism:

Some 63 miles away in the city of Omaha and McNally reportedly announced that WarHorse Gaming LLC is hoping to bring a similarly-sized facility to the 63-acre Horsemen’s Park development. However, she purportedly stated that the operator will look to preface this premiere by opening a temporary facility featuring 800 slots about ten months after the start of construction.