LINCOLN- Following the overwhelming voter approval of casino gambling in 2020, two casinos are open with additional locations on the horizon. "The Racing and Gaming Commission in the state of Nebraska is trying as quickly as we can to get up all aspects of gaming," Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission Executive Director Tom Sage said. Doing that means making sure the correct regulations and regulators are in place and well functioning.

Casey Ricketts, the director of compliance for the commission, said she tracks each and every machine that comes into the state. "Prior to any casino opening. We have to verify all the software and all the machines," Ricketts said. Part of that vetting is the opening of the software box on the machine itself. "No seal can be broken without a racing and gaming commission official present," Ricketts said.

She said it's time intensive for a regulatory agency that last year at this time had only three full-time staff. "Currently, we have right around 18 employees. I believe that's not near enough," Sage said. Sage said when Columbus opens, there will be about 1,000 slot machines in the state. But as Omaha and other casinos open, they could be several thousand, as well as table games and sports wagering. Ricketts believes 50-60 people will be needed to ensure all machines are checked and running in a timely matter. As the casino market grows in Nebraska, so must the regulator pipeline.

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