LINCOLN- On Friday, the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission approved the first step in a process that could allow a Hastings-based company to transfer its racetrack license to western Nebraska. Commissioners voted to approve a 12-week, $48,000 market study with Innovation Group, which, if successful, could set up final approval for a racetrack in Ogallala after Hastings Exposition & Racing Inc. announced plans to transfer its racing license.

State law allows Hastings a one-time move of its license since the community was one of six original racetrack locations in the state. The law requires, however, that a license be moved to a Nebraska county that does not already have a racetrack. In this case, from Adams County to Keith County. For several years, Hastings Exposition and Racing have attempted to set a race track and casino in Hastings, and even spent hundreds of thousands of dollars for a location that would have been around 17 miles from the racetrack in Grand Island.

The plan has changed, however, and Hastings Exposition now plans to build 200 miles away on a 174-acre site that would reside on the southwest corner of I-80 and Highway 26, the main intersection in Ogallala. Elite Casino Resorts, which owns the Grand Island Casino Resort, plans to partner with Hastings Exposition to complete the project, should it be approved. "We think this is the definition of a win-win," said Brian Jorde, a representative of Hastings Exposition.

At the Grand Island Casino Resort, it was also announced that the Elite Sportsbook would open starting Wednesday, giving Nebraskans a second legal sports betting operation. Nebraska law requires, however, that all sports bets be placed in person and on the premises, and doesn't allow Nebraskans to bet on local college steams when they're playing games within the state's borders. "We are excited to offer sports betting to our guests," said Dan Kehl, CEO of Elite Casino Resorts, "This is another big step on our path to bring a permanent, full-service casino resort to Grand Island."

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