Almost $300,000 was gained in total gaming tax revenue during the first six days of operation at Nebraska’s first casino establishment, WarHorse Lincoln.
In a move that was kick-started courtesy of a 2020 referendum, Ho-Chunk, the economic development corporation of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, moved quickly to detail transformation projects in Omaha and Lincoln.
The latter, in a first monthly report that was published by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission, was found to have delivered gaming tax revenue of $285,963.03 during the latter stages of last month after a temporary facility opened on September 24.
When broken down, this will see 70 per cent ($200,174.12) go to the Nebraska Property Tax Relief Fund, 12.5 per cent (35,745.38) each to the city of Lincoln and Lancaster County and 2.5 per cent ($7,149.07) to the Compulsive Gaming Assistance Fund and Nebraska General Fund.
“We recognise the importance of routine reports detailing the distribution of tax revenue gained from expanded gaming in Nebraska communities,” said Tom Sage, Nebraska Racing and Gaming Executive Director.
“Having mechanisms to routinely share the total tax revenue and distribution fosters public trust and is key to transparent regulatory oversight of our gaming industry.”
In June, WarHorse Gaming detailed licence applications to operate casinos at Horsemen’s Park in Omaha and Lincoln Race Course, which development of the properties said to represent a total investment of approximately $600m.
WarHorse Lincoln is expected to include more than 1,300 gaming stations, a 196-room hotel, event space, several restaurants, live and simulcast horse racing, and other amenities once complete. The full scope of the projects are likely to take 18-24 months to complete.
This phased opening will include more than 400 slot machines, while Omaha’s will comprise more than 800 slot machines with the intent to open in the first half of 2023.
