The grand finale at Legacy Downs, Lincoln’s horse racing track, marks the end of a five-week racing meet, the first since the establishment of the WarHorse Casino. Nebraska legalized casino gambling to enhance the horse racing industry and alleviate property taxes. While horse races themselves don’t directly contribute to tax relief, they attract more visitors to the casino, which in turn supports the property tax relief fund.
Although specific figures from the recent races are not yet available, the Lincoln casino has generated over $5 million in tax revenue from January to April, reflecting a nearly 28% increase from the previous year. Approximately $3.6 million of this revenue has been allocated to the state’s property tax relief fund, with expectations for further growth due to the casino’s expansion.
Supporters of horse racing argue that it benefits various sectors, including agriculture, by stimulating demand for feed and related products. The excitement generated by the racing events is seen as a positive force for the local economy, with potential for the number of casinos in Nebraska to increase from four to six in the near future.
