To Top

Columbus City Council Approves New Casino Development in Nebraska

Caesars Entertainment was approved to move forward with a new Harrah’s casino in Nebraska with Columbus Expositions & Racing.

Nebraska Is Getting A New Casino After Approval From Columbus City Council
Photo by Katherine Welles / Shutterstock.com
Nicholaus Garcia Avatar
2 mins read
Share Share
Copy link Share on X Share on Facebook Share on Reddit Share via Email

City council officials approved the redevelopment plan for Harrah’s new $75 million casino and racetrack in Columbus, Nebraska.

The Columbus Exposition and Racing (CER) partnered with Caesars Entertainment to build and operate the new casino. Meanwhile, Covergence, LLC, will spearhead the project’s overall development.

The casino is expected to be complete in late 2022.

Promising outlook for casino says the mayor of Nebraska

Following the council’s approval, Mayor Jim Buckley shared words of optimism.

Buckley went on to say:

“I think it’s important to recognize this proposal was in front of planning and zoning a week ago (and) it was aired there and had the ability for the public to come forward and give their inputs and . There was no negative that came back. Again here this evening there has been no negative .”

Harrah’s million-dollar casino details and plan

Last year, state officials approved the expansion of gambling in Nebraska. After that, Tom Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment, said Harrah’s was the right fit for the state.

“We knew that our experience in the casino industry combined with our commitment to horse racing made Harrah’s a perfect fit,” Reeg said. “We look forward to creating an all-new Harrah’s experience in Columbus and connecting it to our Caesars Rewards network across the country.”

According to the plans, the casino will have:

Additionally, the property will feature a retail sportsbook. The plans also include space for retail shops, restaurants, and a hotel.

In July, Tom Jackson, Managing Partner of CER, said the company was excited to bring Harrah’s to Nebraska.

In a statement, Jackson said:

“When looking for a Casino Operator Partner, Harrah’s brand recognition and established code of commitment to its employees, customers and the communities in which they operate proved an easy selection. In addition, their superior rewards program and marketing team, high-performing entertainment network and best-in-class gaming experience check all the right boxes for this partnership.”

Nicholaus Garcia Avatar
Written by

Nick Garcia is a senior reporter for PlayUSA. Garcia provides analysis and in-depth coverage of the gambling industry with a key focus on online casinos, sports betting and financial markets. Garcia has been covering the US gambling market since 2017. He attended Texas Tech University as an undergrad and received a Master of Arts in Journalism from Columbia College Chicago.

View all posts by Nicholaus Garcia

Nick Garcia is a senior reporter for PlayUSA. Garcia provides analysis and in-depth coverage of the gambling industry with a key focus on online casinos, sports betting and financial markets. Garcia has been covering the US gambling market since 2017. He attended Texas Tech University as an undergrad and received a Master of Arts in Journalism from Columbia College Chicago.

Sign up to our newsletter to get PlayUSA’s latest hands-on reviews, expert advice, and exclusive offers delivered straight to your inbox.
You are already subscribed to our newsletter. Want to update your preferences data?
Thank you for g up! You’re all set to receive the latest reviews, expert advice, and exclusive offers straight to your inbox. Stay tuned!
View Offers
Something went wrong. Please try again later