Lincoln's Warhorse Casino Reports Surge in Sports Betting as Football Season Gets Under Way

Warhorse Casino in Lincoln says its sports betting business has grown considerably since football season began, with operators describing activity as far stronger than in the months before the games started.

Lynne McNally, CEO of the Nebraska Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said she cannot share specific figures until taxes have been filed. She said, however, that Husker games, Monday night football and Southeastern Conference contests have all brought in noticeably more customers.

The year did not begin at that pace. McNally said the casino had a slower start, which she attributed to baseball and the timing of its opening. "But it is gangbusters now," she said, adding that both NFL and NCAA play have generated huge activity.

Tax revenue from Warhorse is divided between local and state purposes. Twenty-five percent goes to the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County, while 70% goes to the Nebraska Property Tax Relief Fund.

McNally said bettors have a range of options regardless of what they want to wager on. One is in-game play, which lets customers bet on upcoming action within a particular game. Others can place a straight win-loss bet or wager that a team will cover the spread.

The casino also offers futures, in which a bettor picks an outcome well ahead in the season. McNally said many customers placed such bets before football season started, including wagers that the Huskers would win the national championship.

Anyone planning to bet should be aware of several rules. The most significant is that wagers cannot be placed on any in-state team while it is playing within Nebraska. Bets on in-state teams in out-of-state away games are allowed.

Bettors must also be over 21 and cannot be personally involved in any of the sports or teams they are betting on. McNally said Warhorse has staff available to help customers who are unsure how any of the wagers or rules work.