Nebraska’s Grand Island Casino opens next week

Grand Island Casino and Resort, the first casino in Central Nebraska run by Iowa-based Elite Casino resorts, acquired a license to operate lawfully in the state from the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission on Wednesday, December 21, and will hold its grand opening the following week.

Temporary casino:

However, this is a temporary casino while the permanent Grand Island Casino and Resort is being built.

The whole casino will have 650 slot machines, 20 table games, a sports book Also  several restaurants, a 116-key boutique hotel with indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service spa and salon, a gift shop, an exhibit hall with live entertainment, and a 400-stall garage.

However, development of the whole casino will commence following the conclusion of the Nebraska State Fair in 2023.

The temporary casino and resort will open at Fonner Park on Tuesday, December 27. The regulator also issued a license to Fonner Park, which permits and supervises the casino’s working hours. In addition, Fonner Park has chosen the management team for the upcoming Grand Island Casino.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will commemorate the formal inauguration of Nebraska’s second casino at the grand opening. Lincoln’s WarHorse Casino is the first casino.

Dan Kehl, chief executive officer of Elite Casino Resorts, stated in a news release: “We are thrilled to work with Fonner Park, which conducted its first race nearly seven decades ago. It is natural that our temporary casino surrounds the Racing Hall of Fame, marking the beginning of a new era in Fonner’s history.

“I wish Elite Casino Resorts, Fonner Park, and Grand Island a prosperous future and appreciate the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission for their leadership and diligence during the process and approval of our application.”

Provisional casino layout:

The proposed casino and resort will feature up to 300 slot machines, kiosks for horse betting, and a snack bar.

It will be open every day from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Sunday through Thursday, and until 3:00 AM on Friday and Saturday.

Chris Kotulak, Chief Executive Officer of Fonner Park, stated in this respect, “My purpose is to provide for the horses, horsemen, staff, and guests of Fonner Park. The inclusion of casino income puts Nebraska’s once-thriving thoroughbred racing sector on the path to revival.”

Vince Fiala, general manager of the temporary casino and resort, stated in an interview with NCN last week, “The casino already employs 100 employees. I anticipate 300 employees when the resort is fully operational.”

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