A Growing Debate
Casino expansion in the state of Nebraska has become a contentious issue once again. In a previous vote, Nebraska residents had expressed their support for introducing casino gambling, leading to the recognition of six racetrack licensees in Lincoln, South Sioux City, Grand Island, Omaha, Columbus, and Hastings.
However, proponents of expansion are pushing for the establishment of new casinos in Kimball, Norfolk, York, North Platte, Bellevue, and Fremont. The recent decision by the state's gambling regulator could potentially hinder these expansion plans.
Questioning the Study
Recently, a study suggested that the current number of racetracks in Nebraska is sufficient, indicating no need for new racing licenses. In response, the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission voted unanimously (7-0) to form a committee tasked with determining whether to accept the study's findings or commission another study.
Dennis Lee, the chairman of the commission, expressed concerns about the incomplete nature of the study, stating that it lacked sufficient data for the commission to make an informed decision regarding the expansion of gambling in the state.
The Study's Findings
The study, prepared for the state's gambling regulator by The Innovation Group, concluded that the existing number of racing licenses in Nebraska already had "more than sufficient capacity" to support market growth across the state. It specifically stated that "the data do not support the addition of more racing licenses."
This study was commissioned in accordance with state laws that require market research to assess the impact of new horse racetracks and casinos on the existing market before project approval. If a new project is expected to significantly affect existing racetracks and casinos, it cannot move forward.
During a recent meeting, Tom Zitt, a representative of The Innovation Group, acknowledged that the study did not provide a complete picture of the impact of new casinos and racetracks due to limited racing data. However, racetrack officials criticized the study for failing to reach out to them for data that could have contributed to a more comprehensive analysis.