Sports betting could be approved within the next few weeks in Omaha, so long as a number of conditions are met beforehand.
The WarHorse Casino in Omaha can launch its sportsbook, after members of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission approved the case to offer sports betting at the casino, though it will be unable to take place until November 1, so long as 14 conditions are met, which cover areas such as security.
The casino itself is in fact still in construction, so betting will have to take place at temporary facilities set up in the racetrack infield.
Lynne McNally, CEO of the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association explained how the asccoation would have preferred to set up the sportsbook earlier in the year, but had to ensure the temporary facilities complied within state regulations:
“We just really wanted to get open as early in football season as we could. That’s a huge chunk of sports betting. Everything else is dwarfed by the NCAA and NFL.
“Better late than never, I guess.”
Sports betting itself was approved within the Cornhusker State back in June, which saw the opening of a sportsbook in Lincoln's Warhorse Casino and the Grand Island Casino Resort in Grand Island launched sports betting August 23.
Simulcast horseracing is already on offer in the temporary facilities at WarHorse Omaha, with extra room to be added in order to facilitate sports betting. Casino games, however, will not be on offer until the actual casino is built, owing to the lack of space available in the temporary facilities.
Recently, Legacy Downs at WarHorse Lincoln was also granted approval by the Nebraska Racing & Gaming Commission for four horseracing dates in 2024.
McNally commented on the current situation: “If the current simulcast customers and our future sports betting customers can be a little patient with us, they’re going to see something really spectacular next fall,” she said. “We’re shooting for September.”
WarHorse has already agreed a partnership with Kambi in order to provide the sports betting platform and the odds for both the Omaha and Lincoln locations, back in May.
