Early returns encouraging for Warhorse Casino
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LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - The sports gambling business is buzzing -- especially in Lincoln.
After adding a sportsbook back in June, the first in the state, Warhorse Casino has seen tens of thousands of bets having been placed. Those bets have added up to $365K in gaming tax revenue since it began in June.
On top of the amount of people they’ve seen placing wagers, they’ve also seen new types of customers they didn’t see before. The entire process is something the casino has had to adjust to.
“We’ve learned a lot,” said Pete Graziano, vice president of marketing at Warhorse. “We weren’t sure what to expect as far as the traffic, or you know even within the building -- so we’ve just been learning about what the preferences are for our customers and just trying to make sure it’s a great experience for them when they’re here.”
People looking to place sports bets flocked to Warhorse this summer with the opportunity now in their own backyard. But, the casino said the excitement around their sportsbook is only a small part of what they have planned.
By this time next year, the size of the casino will double. They plan on adding twice as many slots, and will also introduce table games to Lincoln for the first time.
Although that alone is a lot for the casino to be excited about, those plans are just scratching the surface.
“Once that expansion happens, there additional plans for more development after that,” said Graziano. “Adding some restaurant amenities, improving the simulcast racing experience, eventually there will be a hotel built here as well, so a lot of exciting things coming in the future.”
Since the start of the year, Warhorse Casino has earned more than $7.5 million in gaming tax revenue, with that money going towards things like the state’s general fund, as well as the city and county.
Warhorse said that construction is well underway for another Casino in Omaha. They expect their doors to open up by this time next year.
