Slots Power 46% Revenue Spike for Nebraska Casinos in January

^{The skyline of Omaha, Nebraska. The city’s Warhorse Casino topped statewide revenue totals in January as Nebraska casinos brought in $25.9 million for the month. (Photo: Sean Pavone / Alamy)}

Nebraska commercial casinos generated $25.9 million in revenue for January, up from the previous year’s total of $17.7 million and representing a year-on-year increase of 46.5%.  

The figures, published by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission, show that of the total, slots accounted for $21.6 million, up 50% year-on-year from $14.4 million. Table games were also up last month, rising 38% year-on-year from $1.8 million to $2.5 million. Electronic table games recorded $750,243, and retail sports betting generated $1 million.  

As the state comes off the back of a successful month for casinos, lawmakers are also looking to expand the Nebraska's online gambling market to include online sports betting. Two sports betting petitions have been approved for circulation, each requiring approval from 5% of registered voters before the measure can be placed on the ballot in the upcoming general election.  

Both Warhorse Casinos Lead in January 

Of the state’s five commercial casinos, four reported year-on-year revenue increases, with only one lacking representative data after opening its doors in August of last year.  

Both Warhorse casinos overshadowed the rest, with Warhorse Casino Omaha generating the highest revenue for the month with $9.7 million, rising 54.8% year-on-year. Slots at the casino were up 58.8% to $8 million, while table games rose 48.4% to just under $1 million.  

Warhorse Casino Lincoln slots into second-place for January, reporting $8.2 million, up 22.7% year-on-year. Both slots and table games revenue were also up for the casino, with slots rising 24.4% to $6.6 million and table games up 48.6% to under $1 million.  

Grand Island Casino had the biggest year-on-year revenue increase in January, rising 68.7% to $4.9 million. Of this total, slots increased 75.2% to $4.3 million, and table games rose 42.8% to $454,807.  

Harrah’s Columbus had the lowest year-on-year revenue rise, only up 15.6% to $2.2 million. Slots at the casino were up 15.1% to $1.9 million, while table games revenue declined 31.3% to $150,329.  

Lake Mac Casino, which opened in August, reported $998,607 in revenue, with slots accounting for the majority of that total.  

Nebraska Sports Betting Petitions Approved For Circulation 

Two sports betting petitions to legalize online sports wagering in the state were placed into circulation early in February. If approved by registered voters, it would move the issue to the 2026 general election, where Nebraskans can vote on the ballot if they want to legalize online sports betting.  

The petitions were first sent to the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office in January and were finally approved a month later after the office sent amendments back to the petition's sponsor, the Sports Betting Alliance.  

One petition would amend the constitution to legalize online sports betting, while the other would amend state statutes on sports betting and highlight the regulatory framework, such as requiring sportsbook operators to partner with one of the state’s racinos to launch a platform.  

The constitutional amendment petition needs signatures from at least 10% of registered voters, while the second one needs only 7%. Both need at least 5% of registered voters from 38 of the state’s 93 counties.  

Signatures will be due in July, four months before Nebraska’s general election.