One year after Nebraska legalized sports betting, the state’s casinos have generated over $2.6 million in revenue from the activity. The initial wagers were placed last June at the WarHorse Casino in Lincoln and, since then, the popularity of sports betting has grown significantly.
Josh Lubrano of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission (NRGC) said: “There’s a buzz. People like to talk about it when they go place wagers, and that buzz just creates more buzz.”
Currently, Nebraska has four operational casinos in Grand Island, Columbus, Omaha, and Lincoln. WarHorse Casino has been particularly successful, accounting for 80% of the more than $1.7 million in profits reported to the NRGC since the beginning of 2024.
Jason Johnston, Sportsbook Manager at WarHorse Casino, noted sportsbooks have tapped into a local market of bettors who previously had to cross state lines to wager. However, this is still the case for Husker home games, which are not eligible for betting from inside the state.
“A lot of people drive into Council Bluffs to wager on Nebraska home games. We’d love to keep revenue in that state. Nebraska has a very passionate fanbase,” Johnston said.
The economic benefits of sports betting extend beyond the casinos. All reported profits are subject to a 20% tax by the NRGC, with 70% of the tax revenue going to the Property Tax State Relief Fund, which helps lower property taxes for homeowners across Nebraska.
WarHorse locations in Lincoln and Omaha are undergoing expansions. Johnston explained the future plans, saying: “It’s not only going to be a resort, but a great experience for patrons to come in and have a great viewing experience. They’ll be able to play tables and slots. Hopefully, we’ll have mobile sports betting approved by then, so patrons can place a bet from their phone while at the bar.”