Fonner Park chooses new casino operator
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Elite Casino Resorts, LLC will operate the $100 million Grand Island Casino Resort. Nebraska voters approved measures in November 2020 to allow existing state-licensed horseracing facilities to offer games of chance.
There were several casino proposals for the project at Fonner Park, but one stood out from the others. The CEO worked with the executive board and four past presidents to reach a decision.
Elite Casino Resorts will build a boutique hotel, spa, full-service spa and salon, gift shop, show lounge, and a rooftop Ruthie's Steak and Seafood. The 37,000 sq ft casino game floor will include 650 slot machines, 20 table games, a VIP lounge and high limit slots area, sports bar with a sportsbook.
Grand Island Casino Resort is expected to open in about two years. It will cost $100 million in construction and renovation costs. The resort will be located in the Nebraska State Fair grounds. Elite Casino Resorts will hire 400 people.
Nebraska's horse racing tracks voted last year to allow casino gambling. Fonner Park is the most recent to announce a casino. Ho-Chunk, Inc., the economic development corporation owned by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, established a new division WarHorse Gaming LLC in December 2020. WarGaming LLC plans to bring casino gaming to three existing horse races in the midwestern U.S. state: Horsemen’s Park in Omaha, Lincoln Racecourse in Lincoln and Atokad Downs in South Sioux City.
Nebraska Horseman's Benevolent & Protective Association (HBPA) applied to the planning department to change the zoning to accommodate the WarHorse Casino at Lincoln Race Course. The association is also looking to obtain a height waiver that would allow a building up to 100 ft tall. Warhorse hopes to open the casino next year.
