Nebraska celebrates opening of casino resort in Grand Island
The $185m permanent casino resort opened its doors on April 10.
US.- The permanent Grand Island Casino Resort at Fonner Park in Nebraska has opened, replacing the temporary casino that opened in December 2022. It features a 37,000-square-foot casino floor with 750 slot machines and 20 table games, plus a sportsbook and Nebraska’s first poker room.
State and local officials, industry leaders, and hundreds of guests gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The state’s first full-scale casino and resort is a partnership between Elite Casino Resorts and Fonner Park
Dan Kehl, CEO of Elite Casino Resorts, said: “This new resort is more than just a casino. It’s a place where people will gather to dine, celebrate, enjoy live entertainment and yes, cheer on the horses from our outdoor entertainment deck. It’s a place that honors the past, and it’s going to embrace the future.”
Construction on the $185m permanent venue began in November 2023. The venue has three dining options, including rooftop dining, a show lounge and sports bar, a 116-room boutique hotel, a salon and spa, a gift shop, an indoor and outdoor pool and a 400-stall parking garage. Grand Island’s temporary casino opened its sportsbook in August 2023.
Vince Fiala, general manager of the Grand Island Casino Resort, called the opening an exciting moment for the region. “Today we celebrate the grand opening of Grand Island Casino Resort,” said Fiala. “Fonner Park chose us as a partner. There were a lot of meetings and presentations, but we knew they were the right partners for us and they knew we’d be the right partners for them.”
Online sports betting in Nebraska
Last week, a proposal to allow a public vote on the legalisation of online sports betting in Nebraska was moved to the Senate floor after approval from the Nebraska Senate General Affairs Committee in a 6-2 vote. LR20CA, introduced by senator Eliot Bostar, would allow a constitutional amendment to grant a referendum.
The bill needs a two-thirds majority in three separate votes on the Senate floor to proceed. If approved, it would allow state voters to decide whether they want legal online sports betting on a ballot question in the November 2026 general election and the potential implementation of online sports betting in 2027.
