Officials broke ground at Fonner Park for the permanent Grand Island Casino Resort. The $100 million, six-story facility will include a 162-room hotel, a show lounge, 750 slot machines and 20 table games.
When Nebraska's horse racing season starts this year on Feb. 17, the state's largest track once again will not be simulcasting its races to the rest of the country.
Slot machines can be seen in the reflection of an odds board as sports betting kicks off in Nebraska at WarHorse Casino in Lincoln on Thursday.
KATY COWELL THE WORLD-HERALD
Gamblers place bets on kiosks at WarHorse Casino in Lincoln on Thursday.
KATY COWELL THE WORLD-HERALD
Winnebago Tribal Council Member Kenny Mallory, left, and Vice President of Nebraska Horsemen's Benevolent Protective Association, David Anderson, place the first ceremonial sports bet in Nebraska at WarHorse Casino in Lincoln on Thursday.
KATY COWELL THE WORLD-HERALD
Winnebago Tribal Council Member Kenny Mallory, left, and Vice President of Nebraska Horsemen's Benevolent Protective Association, David Anderson, hold up their receipts from placing the first ceremonial sports bet in Nebraska at WarHorse Casino in Lincoln on Thursday.
KATY COWELL THE WORLD-HERALD
A gambler uses a kiosk to place a sports bet at WarHorse Casino in Lincoln on Thursday. Bets must be placed in person at one of the kiosks or at the window.
KATY COWELL THE WORLD-HERALD
Slot machines can be seen in the reflection of an odds board as sports betting kicks off in Nebraska at WarHorse Casino in Lincoln on Thursday.
KATY COWELL THE WORLD-HERALD
Winnebago Tribal Council member Kenny Mallory speaks to the media after placing the first ceremonial sports bet in Nebraska at WarHorse Casino in Lincoln on Thursday. Mallory placed a bet on Wake Forest winning the College World Series.
KATY COWELL THE WORLD-HERALD
Winnebago Tribal Council member Kenny Mallory speaks after placing the first ceremonial sports bet in Nebraska at WarHorse Casino in Lincoln on Thursday. Mallory placed a bet on Wake Forest winning the College World Series.
KATY COWELL THE WORLD-HERALD
People leave WarHorse Casino as sports betting kicks off in Lincoln on Thursday.