By PAUL HAMMEL
Nebraska Examiner
LINCOLN — Tom Sage said he’s never deposited two $1 million checks before in his life.
But on Thursday, the director of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission marched the hefty checks to the bank. It signaled that the first applications have been made to open casinos under the state’s voter-approved legalization of Las Vegas-style gambling.
A $1 million application fee is required of any new casino, and on Thursday, officials with Warhorse Gaming in Omaha and Lincoln submitted fees.
The submissions came shortly after the State Racing and Gaming Commission, meeting in Lincoln, announced that the agency was ready to accept applications.
Ten boxes
Lynne McNally of the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association joined Lance Morgan of Ho-Chunk Inc. in submitting the two applications.
McNally said the applications required 10 boxes of paperwork. Included were background information about proposed board members and architectural plans for the casino operations, which would be located at the Lincoln Race Course in Lincoln and Horsemen’s Park in Omaha.
Sage said provisional licenses should be approved soon for the two “racinos” (a combination of racetrack and casino), which will allow the facilities to begin ordering equipment and seeking financing.
Permanent licenses to allow the facilities to turn on slot machines and begin other gambling will take much longer, Sage said.
“I think everyone’s shooting to have something in operation by the end of the year,” he said.
Supply chain issues
Much, Sage added, will depend on supply chain issues and when slot machines and other equipment can be manufactured and delivered.
McNally was more optimistic, saying the Lincoln racino might be open by late summer. But she acknowledged that “manufacturing” issues could change that.
Nebraska voters, in 2020, overwhelmingly approved ballot measures opening the way to expanded gambling.
The Nebraska Legislature authorized the initial racinos to be located at the state’s existing racetracks in Omaha, Lincoln, Columbus, Grand Island, South Sioux City and Hastings. Before other racinos are allowed, the State Racing and Gaming Commission is to consider the impact of additional gambling on communities, horse racing and other gambling facilities.
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