Nebraska: WarHorse Casino Omaha celebrates major expansion

The WarHorse Casino in Omaha celebrated a major milestone Tuesday with the grand opening of its newly completed expansion.

The expansion includes 400 additional slot machines, two new dining venues, and a skywalk that now connects the casino to its parking structure. The development also created 130 new jobs, increasing the casino’s workforce to roughly 480 employees, said Lance Morgan, CEO of WarHorse Gaming, via a Nebraska Public Media report.

The Omaha location, which opened in August 2024, is a joint venture between the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska’s economic development arm, Ho-Chunk Inc., and the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. The partnership also operates WarHorse Casino in Lincoln.

Since January, WarHorse Omaha has generated nearly $3.8 million in tax revenue, as per the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. Over $2.6 million will go to the state’s property tax credit fund, while Omaha and Douglas County will each receive nearly $475,000.

While the financial contributions to public funds are notable, Morgan cited the broader economic benefits driven by the casino’s expansion.

“It’s the jobs and the economic activity,” he said. “A lot of this income was going over to Iowa and surrounding states, and so I think it's pretty logical to bring it back here to Nebraska.”

The chief executive added that neither Ho-Chunk Inc. nor the Winnebago Tribe has profited from the Omaha or Lincoln casinos yet, as both projects are still in development. However, he remains optimistic about the long-term vision.

WarHorse Omaha is the second Nebraska casino to expand this month. Grand Island Casino Resort opened its permanent $185 million facility, featuring 650 slot machines, 20 table games, a hotel, and more.

Developed through a partnership between Elite Casino Resorts and Fonner Park, the seven-story facility became Nebraska's first full-scale casino and resort. The ribbon-cutting ceremony drew state and local officials, industry leaders, and hundreds of guests who gathered to celebrate what is expected to become a premier destination for gaming, entertainment, and hospitality in the state.

So far this year, Nebraska’s racetrack casinos have brought in over $10.8 million in tax revenue.