LINCOLN- The launch of state-sanctioned casino gambling in Nebraska appears to be taking a bite out of revenue at two big Council Bluffs casinos, according to the state of Iowa. Revenue is down this year at Ameristar and Horseshoe casinos, two of Iowa’s top-grossing casinos, state records show. The American Gaming Association noted this dip in a report on third-quarter revenue report.

“In the Midwest,” the AGA said, “traditional revenue at two of Iowa’s three top-grossing casinos in the Council Bluffs market continued to trail last year following the launch of slot gaming in eastern Nebraska in late 2022.” The revenue dip should please gambling advocates in Nebraska, who for years argued the state should have its own casinos and stop the leakage of gambling dollars to Iowa.

The combined total adjusted gaming revenue for Ameristar, Harrah’s and Horseshoe for fiscal year 2023 — the period from July 2022 through June 2023 — was $460 million, according to the Iowa commission. That was down from $473.2 million for fiscal year 2022, a decline of $13.2 million or about 3%. This may come as a scare to Iowa as Nebraska casinos are still ramping up construction and soon approach opening dates for the actual facilities rather than the temporary ones. ‘

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