COLUMBUS- In a perfect world, Nebraska's first fully operational casino would have opened this week. The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission unanimously voted last month to allow Harrah's Nebraska to open its doors in Columbus, pending a final walk-through. And then a mid-April storm hit the construction site, causing damage to the roof and some of the equipment inside the building.

That has pushed back the casino's opening to a yet-to-be-determined date, its general manager said. "We're close," said Don Ostert, the casino's general manager. "Currently, we're putting the final touches and approvals on the facility. Our goal is always to deliver a great experience — from day one. "So, we haven't set a date yet, but we'll be setting one soon. It's a beautiful facility."

Ostert said he is optimistic the Columbus casino will open sometime before the end of the month. Even without the storm, there were no guarantees Harrah's Nebraska would have opened this week. Before the official opening, the Racing and Gaming Commission will have a final walk-through, probably the night before the official opening, to make sure everything — from checking alarms, doors and camera angles to making sure all the signage is in place — is up to specifications.

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