LINCOLN- A bill that seeks to add statutory provisions regulating the establishment of horse race tracks and casino gaming was approved in first-round debate by Senators Tuesday, but is far from the finish line.

Senators advanced Legislative Bill 876 from first-round debate on a 30-0 vote, but one leading state senator complained that western Nebraska was being snubbed by the bill. State Sen. John Stinner of Gering said limiting casinos initially to only the six existing thoroughbred racetracks means that his Panhandle constituents will have at least a five-hour drive to the nearest gambling palace in Grand Island.

“Through all of this process, you’ve excluded half of the state,” said Stinner.

In November 2020, Nebraska voters overwhelmingly approved casino gambling at horse racetracks, operations called “racinos.” But senators have differed on whether the vote meant racinos only at the state’s six existing racetracks, or elsewhere.

Several communities, including Bellevue, Kimball, Gering, North Platte, and Norfolk have proposed racinos in hopes of adding the economic development the establishments are expected to bring.

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