New Harrah’s Casino in Nebraska Just Weeks Away From Grand Opening

    New Harrahs Casino In Nebraska Just Weeks Away From Grand Opening
    Article by : Erik Gibbs Apr 23, 2024

    An expansion of Nebraska’s gaming and entertainment industry is on the horizon. May 2023 marks the grand opening of Harrah’s Columbus, Nebraska’s first full-fledged, newly built, and state-sanctioned gambling casino.

    This opening follows the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission’s approval of a target opening date of May 13.

    Harrah’s Columbus will be the first permanent casino in Nebraska, boasting a 17,000-square-foot casino floor that promises to be a haven for gaming enthusiasts. With 400 slot machines and 11 live table games, including popular choices like roulette and craps, the casino is poised to offer a diverse range of gaming experiences.

    The establishment is not just about gaming; it’s a full-service entertainment complex. A Brew Brothers restaurant will provide patrons with a culinary delight, while the inclusion of Caesar’s sportsbook and racebook caters to sports and racing fans. The complex’s allure is further enhanced by the state’s only 1-mile horse track, with racing scheduled to commence on August 16.

    Harrah’s Columbus aims to attract customers from Norfolk, Grand Island, Omaha and Lincoln, tapping into a broad customer base. The developers have taken queues from Columbus’s history in planning the casino. They retained the name Wishbones for the sports bar, a nod to the local heritage.

    Accessibility is key, and the casino’s location is conveniently reachable. The drive from downtown Omaha to Columbus takes approximately an hour and a half and around an hour from West Omaha. This accessibility is expected to be a significant draw for residents and visitors alike.

    Looking beyond Harrah’s Columbus, the state’s gaming landscape is set to expand further. Warhorse Gaming has announced plans to open a new casino at Horsemen’s Park in Omaha in early August, followed by the opening of another new Warhorse casino in Lincoln around November 1.

    Additionally, the Grand Island Casino Resort is developing a new $100 million casino, slated to open in the first quarter of 2025.

    These developments are a direct result of the November 2020 ballot, where Nebraska voters approved Initiatives 429, 430, and 431, allowing casino-style gambling at licensed horse tracks.

    This landmark decision has paved the way for the transformation of the state’s gaming industry, promising economic growth and a new chapter in Nebraska’s entertainment offerings.