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Nebraska racetrack casinos brought in just more than $1.62 million in gaming tax in November, making it the best month ever for tax collections.
The money comes from Nebraska’s four racinos (racetracks that also host casino gaming), as follows:
- WarHorse Casino in Lincoln: $879,146
- Grand Island Casino Resort in Grand Island: $522,762
- Harrah’s Columbus NE Racing & Casino: $211,378
- WarHorse Gaming Omaha: $11,332
WarHorse Gaming Omaha was the latest addition to Nebraska’s growing gambling scene. Its casino games have yet to launch, but sports betting went live on Nov. 3.
It is the third commercial (non-tribal) casino to offer sports betting, after WarHorse Casino Lincoln (opened June 22) and Grand Island Casino Resort (opened on Aug. 23).
November was the best month for Nebraska gaming tax collection
The previous record for gaming taxes collected was hit in September. Here’s what the entire year looked like for casinos in Nebraska:
- January: $1,255,226.50
- February: $1,341,686.87
- March: $1,548,392.94
- April: $1,393,186.02
- May: $1,290,419.98
- June: $1,357,439.60
- July: $1,544,965.19
- August: $1,551,705.67
- September: $1,582,906.00
- October: $1,547,565.96
- November: $1,624,618.27
November’s gaming tax also represents a 4.98% increase from October’s $1.55 million.
Grand Island Casino and WarHorse Lincoln show monthly progress
WarHorse Casino in Lincoln and the Grand Island Casino resort both had a successful November, while Harrah’s Columbus showed a monthly decrease:
- WarHorse made $879,145.52 in gaming taxes, a 5.03% monthly increase. November was the casino’s second-best month after March.
- Grand Island casino generated $522,761.87 in taxes, a 5.58% monthly rise. November was its third-best month after March and April.
- Harrah’s Columbus brought in $211,378.23, which was 1.87% down from October.
WarHorse Casino opened on Nov. 3 and features 1,200 slot machines. It was after WarHorse Gaming received approval from the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission to offer retail sports betting at the $250-million venue in Omaha.
Nebraska gaming taxes have exceeded $16 million so far for the year
Since January this year, gaming taxes have surpassed $16 million, of which Lincoln Casino contributed almost $9.4 million. Grand Island Casino brought in about $5.4 million, while Harrah’s Columbus made nearly $1.29 million.
With the state-imposed 20% annual tax on gross gaming revenue from games of chance, the licensed racetrack locations brought in over $80 million in gross revenue for the first 11 months.
Here’s a breakdown of the spending:
- 70% goes to the state’s Property Tax Credit Fund
- 12.5% goes toward the County
- 12.5% goes to the City
- The balance of 5% gets split between the state’s general fund and the State of Nebraska Gamblers Assistance Program
In terms of revenue numbers, here’s how the total gaming tax amount has been split so far in 2023, according to the Nebraska Racing & Gaming Commission’s gaming tax report:
- Property Tax Credit Cash Fund: $11,226,679.10
- State General Fund: $400,952.83
- Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund: $400,952.83
- City share: $1,843,841.88
- County share: $2,165,686.36
- Total gaming tax received: $16,038,113.00
