Nebraska proposes $1m casino license fee

The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission has released Preliminary regulations with information that companies intending to open a casino at a race track in Nebraska must pay $1m upfront for a license that is valid for 20 years.

The state of Nebraska is getting closer to having casinos at race tracks. Nebraska casinos are to be smoke – free, all weapons and firearms are to be banned on the spot unless they’re carried by licensed security officers or law enforcement.

The following 6 places with licensed horse tracks have made plans to open casinos on the premises: Lincoln, Omaha, South Sioux City, Columbus, Grand Island, and Hastings.

Lynne McNally, executive vice president of Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, said she is excited the process has finally gotten started.

Nebraska Important Regulations

“The regulations are very comprehensive, they’re heavy on security, integrity, background investigations, all of the things you need to maintain honestly across the industry and I think they’re great,” McNally for KNOP News.

On the other hand, Chris Kotulak, Fonner Park Racetrack CEO has shared his concern for the state, mentioning that he believes Nebraska could wind up with too many race tracks since companies want to operate casinos stating “There’s not the human or equine infrastructure in place to support any more racing than we already have.”

Nebraska is in a positive place about the progress of casino infrastructure, though, with locals seemingly in favor of the decision.

The native voters of Nebraska have authorized casino gambling at horse tracks in November of 2020 and the Racing and Gaming Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing of the rules on the 17th of December 2021. This means that the process towards the legalization of casinos has begun.

This plan is also seeking to regulate other levels of business, other than casinos there will be many other organizations that would have to comply with licensing agreements and purchase a permit. Vendors would be expected to pay about $5,000 for a three-year period.