Updated by Lynsey Thompson
Casino Expert
Fact Checked by Michael Graham
Content Editor

✅ Cast your vote in the poll below & create your free account to enter
Full Terms and Conditions apply.
*The minimum age at Nebraska's five racetrack casinos is 21. Tribal casinos operate independently and admit players from age 18.
Nebraska's casino landscape divides cleanly into two categories. The five racetrack casinos, known as racinos, are commercial properties licensed by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. All offer Class III slot machines, live table games, and retail sportsbooks, and most are still expanding.
The four tribal casinos and Rosebud Casino are owned and operated by federally recognized tribes under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. These smaller properties offer Class II gaming machines, which are bingo-based rather than standard slot machines, and provide a quieter, locals-focused experience.
Racetrack Casinos (Racinos)
Tribal Casinos (All Class II Casinos)
| Casino | Location | Slots | Table Games | Sportsbook | Hotel | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WarHorse Casino Omaha | Omaha | 1,200 | Yes | Yes | No | WarHorse Gaming (Winnebago Tribe) |
| WarHorse Casino Lincoln | Lincoln | 830+ | Yes | Yes | No* | WarHorse Gaming (Winnebago Tribe) |
| Grand Island Casino Resort | Grand Island | 750 | 20 | Yes | Yes (162 rooms) | Elite Casino Resorts |
| Harrah's Columbus | Columbus | 400 | 11 | Yes | Yes (102 rooms)† | Caesars Entertainment |
| Lake Mac Casino Resort | Ogallala | 300+‡ | Yes | Yes | No | Elite Casino Resorts |
*WarHorse Lincoln hotel planned as part of ongoing expansion, not yet open.
†Marriott Fairfield Inn and Townplace Suites, connected to the casino by an indoor corridor. Opened 2025.
‡Lake Mac is operating from a temporary facility. The permanent build will expand to 650 slots and 14 table games.
Nebraska's casino industry is young and still taking shape. Several properties are mid-expansion, one is operating from a temporary facility, and a sixth racino is on the way. What's here already is worth the trip, and the experience improves each year. Here's what to expect.
Nebraska's casinos divide into two distinct experiences. The five racetrack casinos are full-service commercial properties with Class III slot machines, live table games, and retail sportsbooks. The tribal casinos are smaller, quieter venues offering Class II gaming machines, which are bingo-based terminals that look similar to standard slots but operate differently. If you want the full casino experience, head to one of the racinos.
All racetrack casinos require guests to be 21 or older. Tribal casinos admit players from age 18. Nebraska law prohibits smoking inside all casinos, and complimentary alcohol is permitted at most properties.
Not all casino machines are created equal. In Nebraska, the type of gaming on offer depends on whether you are at a racetrack casino or a tribal property, and the difference is worth understanding before you visit.
Class III machines are what most people picture when they think of a slot machine. Results are determined by a random number generator, the same technology used in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. These machines are available at Nebraska's five racetrack casinos.
Class II machines look almost identical but work differently. Each spin is actually a fast-play bingo game, with the outcome determined by a bingo draw rather than an RNG. The slot-style display is a visual representation of that result. Class II gaming is what Nebraska's tribal casinos are licensed to offer under federal law.
For casual players the difference is subtle, but Class III machines generally offer a wider variety of games, bigger jackpots, and more familiar gameplay.
| Class II | Class III | |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome determined by | Bingo draw | Random number generator |
| Appearance | Slot-style terminals | Standard slot machines |
| Where available in Nebraska | Tribal casinos | Racetrack casinos (racinos) |
| Min. gambling age | 18 | 21 |
| Table games available | No | Yes |
| Sportsbooks available | No | Yes |
Parking is free at all five racinos. Players club cards are worth picking up on arrival. WarHorse Omaha and Lincoln share a rewards program, Grand Island and Lake Mac share the Elite Casino Resorts program, and Harrah's Columbus is part of the Caesars Rewards network, redeemable at over 50 Caesars properties nationwide.
The racinos offer standard Class III slot machines, the same machines you would find in Las Vegas or Atlantic City. WarHorse Omaha is the largest floor in the state at 1,200 machines, followed by WarHorse Lincoln at 830 plus. Grand Island has 750, Harrah's Columbus has 400, and Lake Mac is currently operating around 300 from its temporary facility. Tribal casino machines are Class II terminals with bingo-based outcomes rather than a standard random number generator.
Live table games are available at all five racinos, including blackjack, roulette, and craps. Grand Island leads with 20 tables, Harrah's Columbus has 11. None of the racinos operate a dedicated poker room.
Retail sportsbooks operate at all five racinos. All betting is in-person only as mobile sports betting is not yet legal in Nebraska. Note that wagering on Nebraska college teams is prohibited under state law, though betting on other college sports is permitted.
Live racing seasons vary by property. Harrah's Columbus runs thoroughbred racing in summer on its one-mile track. Grand Island hosts racing at Fonner Park. Lake Mac is Nebraska's only dedicated Quarter Horse track. WarHorse Omaha and Lincoln offer simulcast wagering year-round.
Grand Island Casino Resort is the most complete destination, with a 162-room hotel, spa, rooftop restaurant, and pool. Harrah's Columbus has an adjacent Marriott Fairfield Inn and Townplace Suites with 102 rooms connected by an indoor corridor. WarHorse Lincoln is adding a steakhouse and sports bar as part of its current expansion. Lake Mac has no on-site lodging during its temporary phase, but several hotels are available in Ogallala.
If gambling stops being enjoyable, help is available. Nebraska's 24-hour problem gambling helpline is 1-833-BETOVER (1-833-238-6837). You can also reach the Nebraska Commission on Problem Gambling by text at 402-806-7344, or call the national 1-800-GAMBLER line at any time.
Free counseling is available through the Nebraska Gamblers Assistance Program, which funds certified therapy for Nebraska residents affected by problem gambling. Counselors operate at 32 locations across the state.
Self-exclusion at Nebraska's racetrack casinos is managed by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. In January 2026, Nebraska joined the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program (NVSEP), allowing residents to self-exclude across multiple participating jurisdictions through a single process. Visit nrgc.nebraska.gov for details.
Casino gambling in Nebraska is regulated by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. The five racetrack casinos are licensed commercial properties authorized under a ballot measure passed by Nebraska voters in November 2020. Tribal casinos operate under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and are regulated by the National Indian Gaming Commission.
The minimum age at racetrack casinos is 21. Tribal casinos set their own minimum age, with most admitting players from age 18. Mobile sports betting is not currently legal in Nebraska. All sports wagering must be placed in person at a licensed racetrack casino. Wagering on Nebraska college teams is prohibited under state law.
Gambling winnings may be subject to federal and state tax obligations. Policies, hours, and offerings are subject to change. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.
Lynsey is a regular Las Vegas visitor and a keen slots and roulette player. As well as significant experience as a writer in the iGaming and gambling industries as an expert reviewer and journalist, Lynsey is one half of the popular Las Vegas YouTube Channel and Podcast 'Begas Vaby’. When she is not in Las Vegas or wishing she was in Las Vegas, Lynsey can usually be found pursuing her other two main interests of sports and theatre.
Read Full BioNebraska has five commercial racetrack casinos operating as of 2026, located in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, Columbus and Ogallala. The state also has four tribal casinos offering Class II gaming, and a sixth commercial casino is planned for South Sioux City with construction expected to begin in 2026.
WarHorse Casino Omaha is Nebraska's largest and most profitable casino, generating $95 million in revenue in 2025 following a major expansion. WarHorse Gaming also operates the second-largest property, WarHorse Casino Lincoln, with the two properties together accounting for more than $177 million in combined annual revenue.
Nebraska's commercial racetrack casinos offer slot machines, video lottery terminals, live table games including blackjack, roulette and craps, electronic table games and retail sports betting. Tribal casinos in the state offer Class II gaming machines, which resemble slot machines but operate as electronic bingo games under federal law. Live poker is available at select properties.
Yes to both. All five of Nebraska's commercial casinos are racinos, operating alongside active horse racing tracks under licences issued by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. Retail sports betting is legal in Nebraska and available at the commercial casino properties, with WarHorse Omaha and WarHorse Lincoln among the locations offering sportsbook wagering.
Yes. Horse racing has been legal in Nebraska since 1934 and remains an active part of the state's gaming landscape. All five commercial casinos operate in conjunction with horse racing tracks, hosting live Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Standardbred racing. WarHorse Gaming is currently developing a third racetrack and casino in South Sioux City, expected to open in late 2026.
Need expert help? Ask a question and one of our in-house experts will get back to you...


