Caesars Entertainment’s temporary gaming venue Columbus Casino is open for business as construction gets underway on the permanent Harrah’s Columbus, NE Racing & Casino.
The temporary casino at Platte County Ag Society Park – featuring more than 250 slot machines and horse racing betting at Ag Park’s existing simulcast – was opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by leadership from Caesars, Columbus Exposition and Racing’s Tom Jackson and the Mayor of Columbus, Jim Bulkley.
Don Ostert, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Harrah’s Columbus, NE Racing & Casino, commented: “Opening the Columbus Casino is a huge milestone for us in the Harrah’s Columbus project.
“With the tremendous support from the community of Columbus, we’re proud to open our doors and welcome guests to the temporary facility for the first time.”
Caesars’ rewards programme Caesars Rewards is also available at Columbus Casino and the upcoming Harrah’s Columbus, allowing guests to earn and redeem reward credits at the operator’s over 50 North American properties.
Being built in partnership with CER, Harrah’s Columbus will feature a 28,000-square-foot casino and sportsbook, more than 500 slot machines and 14 table games, and the longest thoroughbred racetrack in Nebraska.
The Brew Brothers restaurant will also be present at the location, as well as a bar called Wishbones in homage to the former events centre that closed in 2021, and a Marriot Fairfield Inn and Townplace Suites next door with a connecting walkway directly to the casino.
Harrah’s Columbus, NE Racing & Casino is expected to be completed in the first half of 2024.
