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Nebraska Inches Closer to Sports Betting Debut After Approval of Rules
By Jeff Osienya Oct 28, 2022 IndustrySlowly but surely, the Cornhusker State’s retail sports betting market is nearing blastoff. The state’s gaming regulator has okayed a market framework, but there’s no news of an official launch date.Residents of the Cornhusker State are drawing nearer to enjoying retail sports betting after the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission (NRGC) unanimously voted to approve market rules last Friday. The approval comes almost two years since Nebraskans voted to legalize gambling in the November 2020 ballot. However, it is still unclear when Nebraska bettors will start making bets.
According to local news reports, the process might take several months for the sports betting to launch because the rules must pass through three offices before getting the final okay. First, the measure will be dispatched to the office of the Attorney General for vetting, then sent to Gov. Pete Ricketts for signing. Then, after the governor rubberstamps the rules, the rules will be sent to the Secretary of State and finally take effect after five days.
What Will Sports Betting in Nebraska Look Like?
In the Cornhusker State, sports betting will only take place at the self-service kiosks or teller windows in casinos at the racetrack. The NRGC Director, Tom Sage, noted that Nebraska’s sports betting regulations are modeled after those in Wyoming and Colorado, which offer a wide range of bet menus.
Moreover, the NRGC prohibits Nebraskans from betting on local teams while playing in the state. It means bettors will not be able to place wagers on Creighton basketball games and Nebraska football contests when they play at home to avoid unethical practices amongst college athletes. Wagering on local college games is also illegal in two other states they are New Jersey and Illinois.
The rules also highlight the technical aspects of sports betting, which include the type of bets Nebraskans can make and which games they can wager on in sportsbooks.
WarHorse Casino Leads the Pack
As of now, only one casino can accept sports bets in Nebraska, and that is the WarHorse temporary casino at Lincoln Race Course. The casino opened its doors last year, making it the first casino to operate in Nebraska.
According to Lynne McNally, the CEO of Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, her team is working towards ensuring that WarHorse is prepared to take bets. Meanwhile, according to a report by KLKN, a local newsroom in Nebraska, the Director of Marketing at WarHorse Gaming LLC, Pete Graziano, said
Quote“We are really excited to see the sports betting regulations pass out of the gaming commission yesterday. It’s a great milestone to give the voters in the state what they asked for, which is casino gambling in Nebraska, including sports betting.”
In his statement, Graziano also discussed the temporary WarHorse casino venue, reiterating their plans to go live soon. He added:
Quote“It’s still our phase one building, right, so it’s a small casino that we wanted to get live and bring online, but in the meantime, we’ll find ways to broaden the gaming offering when we can.”
Although WarHorse casino is the only venue allowed to offer sports betting so far, NSGC expects two or three racetrack casinos to open before the sports betting goes live. Nonetheless, the actual market launch might not be as close as many Nebraskans hope. According to a report by the Journal Star, another local daily, Dennis Lee, the NSGC Chairman, noted:
Quote“If any of you think you’re going to be able to do some sports wagering in the relatively near future, that’s not really accurate — nothing further could be from the truth.”
More Casino Venues Coming Up in Due Time
On top of the provisional Lincoln Race Course casino, Fonner Park in Grand Island expects to open its temporary casino in November. Further, Caesars Entertainment has partnered with Ag Park in Platte County to construct the Columbus temporary casino.
Additionally, WarHorse Gaming LLC is constructing its second casino in Nebraska at Omaha’s Horsemen’s Park, which is expected to open next year. Warhorse Gaming’s third casino project will be at the former Atokad Park.
These casino projects in racetracks are a culmination of a decision that voters made in the November 2020 referendum. Following the authorization, plans to construct casinos at Nebraska’s licensed racetracks in Omaha, Columbus, Grand Island, Lincoln, Hastings, and Sioux City moved full steam ahead.
Besides giving the sports betting measures a thumbs up, the NRGC passed the 2023 horse racing dates in their Friday meeting. The event will include eight days at the Lincoln Race Course, and to which the venue is undergoing a $2.5 million remodel. Apart from improving the track, new features, such as replacing the safety rail, will be part of the makeover.
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