Nebraska Casinos Near Me

Introduction to Nebraska Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

  1. Open Casinos In Nebraska
  2. Nebraska Casinos Near Me Restaurants
  3. Nebraska Casinos Near Lincoln

The HopHouse Bar and Grill 11425 South 72nd Street, Papillion, Nebraska Stats Table games:- Gaming machines:- Poker tables: - 24/7:No Parking:Yes Valet:No Casino sq/ft:- Convention sq/ft:- Amenities Poker Room: - Hotels: Papillion Hotels Rates: - Spas: - Venues: - Attractions: - Golf: - Restaurants.

Nebraska slot machine casino gambling consists of 21 gambling centers including commercial businesses, tribal casinos, keno locations in Scotts Bluff County, and racetracks with electronic gaming machines offering video bingo, video keno, and video poker.

No theoretical payout limits exist in Nebraska. However, you can calculate annual return statistics from info in the gaming revenue reports available from the state.

This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.

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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Nebraska*

The minimum legal gambling age in Nebraska depends upon the gambling activity:

  • Land-Based Casinos: 21
  • Poker Rooms: 21
  • Bingo: 18
  • Lottery: 19
  • Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 19

The state of gambling in Nebraska is one of the most unusual of any U.S. state. The Nebraska legislature has defined games of chance and gambling very differently from other states, exacerbated by the lack of a gaming commission to establish clear gaming regulations.

The Nebraska legislature states that all forms of gambling are illegal, including games of chance. However, they have been very selective when identifying what is and is not a game of chance. For example, Nebraska law does not define the state lottery, racing, bingo, keno, pickle cards, and more as games of chance.

By their definition, there are no legal forms of gambling per state law. By most other states accepted definitions of gambling, however, gambling does exist. Video keno, video poker, and video bingo are available at nearly two dozen locations around Nebraska.

*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.

Slot Machine Private Ownership in Nebraska

It is illegal to own a slot machine privately in the state of Nebraska.

Gaming Control Board in Nebraska

Technically, Nebraska does not have a state gaming commission. However, it does have its Charitable Gaming Division (CGD) within the Nebraska Department of Revenue. This is where reports are for gaming revenue.

These Nebraska gaming revenues come from Keno, Pickle Cards, Bingo, and Lottery/Raffle. Total dollars wagered in the last full fiscal year was over $260 million. It’s worth mentioning that 90% of this gaming revenue came from Keno.

The Keno Tip Line at 877-Tip-Keno (877-847-5366) is an excellent example for Nebraska’s need for clear state gaming regulations. With this tip line, the Division asks you to call if you suspect any gaming wrongdoing, including:

  1. A player allowed to bet on credit
  2. Keno workers playing keno while on duty
  3. Minors (under age 19) allowed to play keno
  4. An irregularity in the winning number selection process (ball draw)

The CGD states this tip line is the first step to help them make sure all keno games are fair. Using a tip line to enforce gambling law violations seems less than useful. Why? Because voluntary notification after a violation occurs is not only the first step but also the last step without adequate state gaming regulations to protect keno players and keno players only.

There have been attempts to establish a state gaming commission. In 2004, a proposed state statue to regulate gaming failed with less than 48% of those voting. Measure 420 or, alternatively, the Nebraska Gaming Commission and Casino Regulation Initiative, would have permitted communities to authorize games of chance and the use of gaming devices at casinos, racetracks, and establishments that sell liquor on the premises.

Casinos in Nebraska

There are 21 gambling centers, elsewhere known as casinos, in Nebraska. Of these, four are racetracks, not all with gaming machines, and another five are tribal casinos. The remaining twelve gambling centers are bars, taverns, and other small businesses.

The largest casino in Nebraska is Ohiya Casino & Resort with 410 gaming machines.

The second-largest casino is Rosebud Casino with 250 gaming machines.

Commercial Casinos in Nebraska

The 16 commercial gambling centers include five county-owned keno locations in Scotts Bluff County, seven small businesses across Nebraska, and four racetracks with electronic gaming machines.

The five keno locations owned by Scotts Bluff County in the towns of Scottsbluff, Mitchell, and Morrill are:

  1. Back of Rack’s Bar & Grill in Scottsbluff located 98 miles northeast of Cheyenne, Wyoming and 19 miles from the Wyoming-Nebraska border.
  2. Company Bar and Grill in Mitchell located 96 miles northeast of Cheyenne, Wyoming and 12 miles from the Wyoming-Nebraska border.
  3. Main Parlor in Scottsbluff located 98 miles northeast of Cheyenne, Wyoming and 19 miles from the Wyoming-Nebraska border.
  4. Redz Bar & Grill in Mitchell located 96 miles northeast of Cheyenne, Wyoming and 12 miles from the Wyoming-Nebraska border.
  5. Rustic Tavern in Morrill located 92 miles northeast of Cheyenne, Wyoming and 6 miles from the Wyoming-Nebraska border.

The seven small businesses having electronic gaming machines in Nebraska are:

  1. Brownies Watering Hole Keno in Papillion located 12 miles southwest of Omaha.
  2. Hastings Keno Bar and Grill in Hastings located 27 miles south of Grand Island.
  3. Hop House Bar and Grill in Papillion located 15 miles southwest of Omaha.
  4. Jerzes Sports Bar & Keno in Papillion located 16 miles southwest of Omaha.
  5. Ralston Keno in Ralston located 8 miles southwest of Omaha
  6. Rosebud Casino in Valentine located 140 miles north of North Platte on the South Dakota-Nebraska border.
  7. Winners Lounge and Keno in Omaha.

Nebraska’s four racetracks, only one of which offers electronic gaming machines, are:

  1. Fonner Park in Grand Island with its Fonner Keno Casino and Sports Lounge located 147 miles west of Omaha.
  2. Horseman’s Park in Omaha.
  3. Lincoln Race Track in Lincoln located 67 miles southwest of Omaha.
  4. Platte County AgPark in Columbus located 91 miles west of Omaha.

Tribal Casinos in Nebraska

Nebraska’s five tribal casinos are:

  1. Iron Horse Bar & Casino in Emerson located 24 miles west of Sioux City, South Dakota and 9 miles from the South Dakota-Nebraska border.
  2. Lucky 77 Casino in Walthill located 26 miles south of Sioux City, South Dakota and 9 miles from the Iowa-Nebraska border.
  3. Native Star Casino in Winnebago located 20 miles south of Sioux City, South Dakota and 6 miles from the Iowa-Nebraska border.
  4. Ohiya Casino & Resort in Papillion located 87 miles west of Sioux City, South Dakota and 4 miles from the South Dakota-Nebraska border.
  5. Prairie Flower Casino, an Iowa tribal casino, in Crater Lake located 9 miles north of Omaha on the Nebraska-Iowa border.

Other Gambling Establishments

As an alternative to enjoying Nebraska slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Nebraska is:

  • North: South Dakota Slots
  • East: Iowa Slots and Missouri Slots
  • South: Colorado Slots and Kansas Slots
  • West: Colorado Slots and Wyoming Slots

Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Nebraska.

Our Nebraska Slots Facebook Group

Nebraska Casinos Near Me

Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Nebraska? If so, join our new Nebraska slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.

There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Nebraska. Join us!

Payout Returns in Nebraska

No payout return limits are available for electronic gaming machines in Nebraska. Actual gaming statistics for Keno is available for the fiscal year. Annual reporting of gaming revenues show gross earnings and number of licensees by county.

However, annual reports are available at the CGD, where the latest report is from 2019. The report shows gross wagered and prizes paid. With these statistics, we can calculate return statistics for each game. They are:

  • Bingo (Class I games): 86.1%
  • Bingo (Class II games): 66.8%
  • Bingo (Total): 70.9%
  • Pickle Cards (Class I games): 83.9%
  • Pickle Cards (Class II games): 68.0%
  • Pickle Cards (Total): 71.0%
  • Keno: 76.1%
  • Lottery/Raffle: 34.6%

The highest return percentage went to Class I bingo games at 86% while the lowest return went to lotteries and raffles at 35%.

Summary of Nebraska Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Nebraska slot machine casino gambling consists of 21 gambling centers mostly offering video keno. Of these, one racetrack has electronic gaming machines. Five centers are tribal casinos. The remainder are small businesses such as bars and taverns.

No limits for payout returns have been legally set. However, annual gaming revenue reports have gross wagers and prizes paid for manual calculation of return statistics.

Annual Progress in Nebraska Slot Machine Casino Gambling

In the last year, there has been little change to the slots gaming industry in Nebraska.

Related Articles from Professor Slots

Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots

  • Previous: Montana Slot Machine Casino Gambling
  • Next: Nevada Slot Machine Casino Gambling

Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC

  • Horseracing (1934), Bingo (1958), Keno (1985), Off-track Betting (1988), Lottery (1992)
  • $38 million
  • $160 million
  • 18 for racing and bingo, 19 for lotteries and keno
  • Nebraska bans smoking in all public places
  • All forms are illegal

There is very little in the way of Nebraska gambling. Horse racing, charity bingo, keno and a state lottery are the only games legal in the state. There are four Nebraska racetracks that offer live horse racing. Simulcast betting is also permitted at these locations. Despite there no being any specific Nebraska casinos, the racetracks and other establishments that serve alcohol can hold live keno drawings. This makes them the closest you can get to a Nebraska casino location without leaving the state.

That is a drastic contrast from neighboring states, all of which have casinos. The closest casinos in the east part of the state are in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Players in the western part of the state will need to go to South Dakota or Kansas for casino action. The state lottery sells scratch-off tickets and lotto drawings.

Nebraska Casinos Near Me

Paying Gambling Taxes in Nebraska

OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos has gathered everything you need to know about paying gambling taxes straight from a Certified Public Accountant. Visit our exclusive Gambling Taxes Guide and learn how to report your gambling income.

Open Casinos In Nebraska

Nebraska Casinos Map & Racetracks Guide

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Types of Nebraska Online Gambling Allowed

Online gambling in Nebraska is illegal. While the state permits tracks to offer race books, this does not carry over to simulcast betting sites. Companies like TVG and TwinSpires are not licensed in the state.

Daily fantasy sports sites operate in Nebraska, although the games are not expressly legal. The companies claim that they are permitted because the activity is a game of skill. The state attorney general has not released an opinion that contradicts those claims. There is a bill pending that would define daily fantasy sports as a skill game. It has yet to gain a committee hearing.

Types of Live Nebraska Gambling

  • All Casino Games: No
  • Horses: Yes
  • Lottery: Yes

There are only four types of live gambling that are legal in Nebraska: horse races, charity gambling, keno, and the state lottery.

Each type comes with their own laws and regulations to keep them in check. After you learn what types of gambling is allowed in Nebraska, you should check out the gambling laws to makes sure you are eligible to play or bet.

Casinos

Nebraska Racetracks

There are four Nebraska racetracks that offer live horse racing. Each has an off-track race book where players can place their bets.

The state still has not legalized casino games, so you will find no Nebraska racinos at these tracks. For keno games, players need to go to an establishment that serves alcohol.

Charities may offer bingo, keno, and raffle drawings. These charities must be registered as a legitimate charity with the state in order to be allowed to have these Nebraska casino events.

Closest Thing to Nebraska Casinos

Restaurants and other establishments that serve alcohol, as well as convenience stores may have keno drawings. Keno is a popular “luck” casino game, that can even be found in Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos.

This is as close as residents will get to having Nebraska casinos within their state borders until legislation approves casino gambling.

The Nebraska Lottery may sell scratch-off tickets and number drawings. This includes multi-state lottos like Powerball and Mega Millions.

Nebraska Gambling Laws

Nebraska gambling laws are very strict. Any gambling expansion in Nebraska requires a constitutional amendment, including a statewide referendum. Most attempts to expand gambling in Nebraska fails. According to Nebraska gambling laws, most gambling crimes are misdemeanors for first offenders. The exception is gambling debt collection, which is a Class III felony.

Racetracks are legal in Nebraska, where racebooks are legal in the state. Only horses may compete on the racetracks. The only requirement for a racebook is that the venue offers, at least, one race day each year. Racetracks and off-track betting operations must be licensed by the Nebraska State Racing Commission.

The state lottery may only offer two types of games. Scratch-off tickets and lotto drawings are the only two permissible activities. The Nebraska Lottery may join interstate drawings, and it does. This includes Powerball and Mega Millions. Lottery tickets may not be sold over the Internet.

Businesses that hold a liquor license may operate live keno games, making them the only “Nebraska casinos” in the state. Keno operations may use electronic devices to determine the winning numbers. Video keno machines that mimic video poker devices are not legal. Keno establishments must be approved through a local referendum. Keno may only operate during hours when it is legal to sell alcohol, which is typically no later than 2 am. There is a two percent tax rate on keno proceeds.

The minimum gambling age in Nebraska is 18 years for betting on horses and playing charity games. Minimum Nebraska gambling age is 19 years for players that want to buy a lottery ticket or play keno for real money.

Smoking is not allowed in any establishment where gambling is legal. The law only exempts tobacco shops and hotel rooms.

List of Nebraska Racetracks

There are four Nebraska racetracks in the state. Each of these locations has a racebook where gamblers can place their bets. There are currently no official Nebraska casinos, as the state has not yet legalized casino gambling; this may change in the future. You can easily locate any racetrack using our interactive Nebraska casino map & racetrack guide.

CasinoSizeAddressWebsite
Columbus Exposition and Racing – ColumbusThoroughbred822 15th Streetwww.columbushorseracing.org
Fonner Park – Grand IslandThoroughbred700 East Stolley Park Roadwww.fonnerpark.com
Horsemen’s Park – OmahaThoroughbred6303 Q Streetwww.horsemenspark.com
Lincoln Race Course – LincolnThoroughbred7055 South 1st Streetwww.lincolnracing.com

There are dozens of charitable and municipal gambling operations in the state. These places spread bingo and raffle games. Many bars in Nebraska offer live keno drawings, making them the closest thing to a real Nebraska casino as residents can get without leaving the state.

History of Nebraska Gambling

All forms of gambling were banned under the Nebraska Constitution until 1934. That is when live horse racing was legalized through a constitutional amendment. Charity bingo was legalized in 1958. The first keno operation launched in 1985. Off-track betting was added to the racing enterprises in 1988. Voters approved a state lottery in 1992.

Keno is the most controversial form of gambling in Nebraska. Some cities and counties have refused to permit the activity. Multiple attempts to expand keno into video gaming devices have failed.

In January 2016, keno players figured out a random number generator and hit for about $150,000 at a restaurant in St. Mary. This was not the first time keno was a problem in Nebraska. Employees of a keno operator were accused of stealing $100,000 in 2005.

With such a rocky gambling history, Nebraska casinos expansion does not look good for the near future. However, with neighboring states having a thriving gambling scene, Nebraska casino gamblers can always go there to play casino games and more.

Nebraska Casino & Gambling FAQ

What is the minimum gambling age in Nebraska?

Nebraska Casinos Near Me Restaurants

The minimum Nebraska gambling age is 18 years for horse racing and charity games, and 19 years for lotteries and keno.

Live racing and simulcast betting are legal in Nebraska.

Nebraska Casinos Near Lincoln

No. Sites like TVG and TwinSpires are not licensed in the state.

Many bars and restaurants offer live keno.

No. Players must travel to Iowa, South Dakota or Kansas for casinos.

Fantasy sports contests appear to be legal in Nebraska.

Is online poker, casinos or sports betting legal in Nebraska?

Is Nebraska keno rigged?

There is some question about the randomness of keno drawing machines after players discovered a pattern in January 2016.