Temporary Lincoln casino to host 300 slot machines

A new temporary casino could arrive in Lincoln, Nebraska, within the next six months while work goes ahead on the WarHorse Casino.

US.- The Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association has filed for a permit to construct a temporary casino at the simulcast building at Lincoln Race Course.

Should it be approved, the venue could be ready to operate within the next six months. It is expected to host 305 slot machines.

Lynne McNally, the group’s executive vice president, said it would replace part of the space used for simulcasting with a temporary gaming floor while it works on the permanent WarHorse Casino.

“We’re hoping to make it work and be able to run both operations out of the same space,” she said.

The Legislature approved the bill LB561 last month, which allows casinos to operate at horse racetracks, but it will still be some time before operators can apply for a licence.

According to Tom Sage, director of the Nebraska Gaming and Racing Commission, the commission will evaluate proposals from gaming consultants to set regulations for the segment.

Once the group sets the ground rules, which are expected to be ready by July 1, a consultant will review them, which will take a further four weeks. After that, the commission will give 30 days’ public notice and hold a hearing on the rules before sending them to the Attorney General’s office for review and then to the governor for final approval.

With that whole process expected to take at least three months, casino licences won’t be received until at least September.

“As you can imagine, they don’t want to give just anyone a license,” McNally said. “They’re doing what they should do.”