New Harrah’s Casino in Nebraska Just Weeks Away From Grand Opening

An expansion of Nebraska’s gaming and entertainment industry is on the horizon. May 2023 marks the grand opening of Harrah’s Columbus, Nebraska's first full-fledged, newly built, and state-sanctioned gambling casino.

This opening follows the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission's approval of a target opening date of May 13.

Highlights of Harrah’s Columbus

• A 17,000-square-foot casino floor featuring 400 slot machines and 11 live table games, including roulette and craps.

• A full-service entertainment complex with The Brew Brothers restaurant, Caesar’s sportsbook and racebook, and the state’s only 1-mile horse track.

• Racing is scheduled to commence on August 16, enhancing the casino’s entertainment appeal.

Harrah’s Columbus aims to attract customers from Norfolk, Grand Island, Omaha, and Lincoln, drawing from a wide regional base. The developers have also honored local history by retaining the name Wishbones for the sports bar, a tribute to Columbus’s heritage.

Accessibility and Reach

• Located about 1.5 hours from downtown Omaha and 1 hour from West Omaha, the casino offers easy access for both residents and tourists.

• Its strategic location is expected to make it a major destination in the state’s growing entertainment sector.

• The establishment combines gaming, dining, and live sports in one modern complex.

Broader Expansion Across Nebraska

• Warhorse Gaming will open a new casino at Horsemen’s Park in Omaha in early August.

• Another Warhorse casino in Lincoln is scheduled to open around November 1.

• The Grand Island Casino Resort is investing $100 million in a new casino, expected to open in early 2025.

These developments stem from the November 2020 ballot initiatives (429, 430, and 431) that legalized casino-style gambling at licensed horse tracks.

This landmark decision has paved the way for Nebraska’s gaming transformation, promising economic growth, job creation, and a revitalized entertainment landscape for the state’s future.