LINCOLN - In a move that one commissioner called “historic,” the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission on Friday, December 17 voted unanimously to approve rules for casinos at the state’s horse tracks.

The 6-0 vote moves the package of rules on to Attorney General Doug Peterson and Gov. Pete Ricketts, who must sign off on them. Once they do, the rules will go to Secretary of State Bob Evnen and become effective about a week later.

That opens the door to allowing casinos at the state’s horse tracks almost 90 years after Nebraska authorized betting on horse racing.

“This is kind of a very historic moment today in the history of Nebraska racing,” said Dennis Lee, chairman of the commission.

It’s taken more than a year to get to this point, after voters in November 2020 overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment allowing casinos at the state’s licensed tracks.

Despite the long process, racetrack and casino operators have had nothing but praise for how the commission has approached the issue.

Global Gaming Nebraska’s Boyd said earlier this month that he believes that the state can support eight to 10 casinos.

It’s possible that the Legislature may limit the number of casinos in the state. Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, chairman of the Legislature’s General Affairs Committee, plans to introduce legislation next month that could require casinos to be at least 50 miles apart and have a minimum number of annual live race days. That could limit further casino development, especially in eastern Nebraska.

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