Nebraska Casinos Earn $21.3 Million in July, Up 132.6% YoY as Lawmakers Target Skill Games

Nebraska’s four commercial casinos recorded an impressive 132.6% year-on-year rise in revenue in July.

The latest monthly report from the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission shows that the sector produced a combined total of $21.3 million in gross gaming revenue in July 2025, compared to $9.2 million a year ago. 

Slots game revenue accounted for the majority of that figure, at $18.7 million, while table games generated $1.6 million. Electronic table games and sports betting made up the remainder. 

Across the Board Revenue Rises

All four of the state’s commercial venues showed significant rises in revenue, year-over-year. Warhorse Lincoln generated $6.6 million, up 52.4% from the July 2024 figure of $4.3 million, while Grand Island showed an impressive 61.4% rise to $4.4 million. 

The most significant revenue rise, however, occurred at Warhorse Omaha, which, according to the figures, showed an astonishing 14010.8% year-over-year rise from July 2024. That figure is skewed, however, by the fact that the venue was undergoing construction work in July 2024. 

Nebraska Lawmakers Continue to Target Skill Games

Meanwhile, Nebraska lawmakers and problem gambling advocates are pushing for stronger oversight of ‘skill games’ or slot machine look-alikes that until recently faced little regulation despite being linked to a surge in gambling addiction.

Until this summer, operators of Nebraska’s estimated 5,450 skill game machines were not required to contribute to problem gambling programs, as in 2011, the Nebraska Supreme Court found that these games contained an element of skill, so did not fall under game of chance laws. 

Data showed that 70% of Nebraskans seeking state-aided counseling report struggling with either skill games or slot machines. By comparison, casinos operate about 3,364 regulated slots.

A new law that took effect in July imposed a 5% tax on net revenues from most skill machines and mandated that they connect to a central monitoring system. Half of that tax revenue, or roughly $76,500 every year, will go toward counseling services. However, advocates say the amount pales in comparison to contributions from casinos and the lottery, which together provide nearly $2 million a year.

Counselors also report rising demand for help. In 2023, about 257 Nebraskans per month sought treatment, but by this year, the figure climbed to 328 as casinos expanded and skill games spread. 

Critics argue that skill games operate like unregulated slot machines with lower player returns. While Iowa casinos must return about 90% of wagers, studies of unregulated machines in Pennsylvania found payouts closer to 75%.