Plans to move proposed Nebraska casino

Plans for a casino in Hastings in the US state of Nebraska are being shelved, which could make way for one to be built further west.

According to the Lincoln Journal Star newspaper, Hastings Exposition and Racing has announced that it will partner with Elite Casino Resorts on a planned $100m Lake Mac Casino Resort and Racetrack in Ogallala.

Hastings Exposition and Racing said it has submitted an application to move its racing licence to the western Nebraska city in 2024.

Plans call for a racetrack dedicated to quarter horse racing, a casino with 650 slot machines, 20 live tables, a poker room and a sportsbook, a 180-room hotel, an event centre, an RV park, restaurants and other amenities on a 174-acre site.

If built, the casino would join ones in Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island and Columbus. “We’ve been in the racing business for over 30 years and the Elite family has been in the casino industry for over 30 years,” said Brian Becker, founder of Hastings Exposition and Racing.

“It was a perfect partnership to help grow the quarter horse racing industry.”