Horsemen in Nebraska credit recent legislation linking casino gaming exclusively to racetrack enclosures as a crucial safeguard for sustaining horse racing in the state. The Nebraska HBPA owns key racetracks and partners with the Winnebago Tribe’s business arm to operate casinos on track property, with contractual protections ensuring the horsemen can acquire the casinos at fair market value if partnerships end. This model aims to secure racing revenues and maintain industry control amid ongoing debates about decoupling racing from casino operations, a hot topic also in Florida.

Industry leaders at the National HBPA conference discussed broader strategies to protect racing tied to gaming, including Florida’s efforts to retain racing licenses within horsemen’s organizations to ensure profits support purses and the sport. National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback proposed exploring federal-style legislation modeled after the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to create a guaranteed legal framework for horse racing, promoting economic self-sufficiency and protecting live racing requirements from legislative threats. This approach reflects a growing push to reimagine protections for the racing industry amid evolving gaming landscapes.