The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission reported that the state’s commercial casino industry generated $27.1 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR) in May 2026. This marks an 11.9% increase compared to May 2025, showing that the market is still growing, even as expansion slows slightly.
Revenue also surged in "The Cornhusker State" in April.
While this growth is more moderate than earlier in the year, it confirms that Nebraska’s racino sector remains stable and in demand.
Slots Continue to Dominate Nebraska Casinos
Slot machines once again made up the largest share of casino revenue in Nebraska. In May:
- Slots generated $23.5 million, up 14.9% year-over-year
- Table games brought in $2.4 million, up 7.6%
- Electronic table games added $672,155
- Retail sports betting contributed $523,246
Slots accounted for roughly 86% of total revenue, reinforcing their role as the primary driver of casino performance in the state.
Sports betting remains a smaller segment because Nebraska law only allows in-person wagering at casinos. However, it continues to show gradual growth as more visitors engage with sportsbooks.
WarHorse Casinos Lead the Market
WarHorse Casino Omaha and WarHorse Casino Lincoln remained the top-performing properties in May 2026.
WarHorse Omaha led the state with $9.9 million in total revenue, a 9.5% increase year-over-year. Slot machines generated $8.6 million, while table games brought in $862,760, slightly down from last year.
WarHorse Lincoln followed with $8.1 million in revenue, up 11.6% year-over-year. Its slot revenue reached $6.9 million, and table games saw a major 51.3% jump, totaling $840,526.
Together, these two properties continue to dominate Nebraska’s casino market, often accounting for a large share of statewide revenue.
Market Growth Slows but Remains Strong
Nebraska’s casino industry has expanded rapidly since voters approved racetrack gaming in 2020. Temporary casinos began opening in 2022, followed by larger, permanent facilities between 2024 and 2025.
That rapid expansion drove major gains last year:
- 2025 total revenue reached about $261.9 million, up nearly 80% year-over-year
- WarHorse properties alone generated over $177 million
In early 2026, growth remained strong:
- January: $25.9 million (+46.5% YoY)
- February: $26.4 million (+56.7% YoY)
- March: $28 million (+42.6% YoY)
- April: $27.1 million (+28.3% YoY)
By comparison, May’s 11.9% increase suggests the market is beginning to stabilize after a period of rapid expansion. This is typical as new casinos mature and initial demand levels off. This trend has been ongoing since the first of the year, which is somewhat surprising, after a record-breaking 2025.
Tax Revenue Boosts State Programs
Nebraska taxes casino revenue at a flat 20%, which continues to generate meaningful funding for the state.
For May 2026:
- Total tax revenue reached $5.42 million
- Year-to-date taxes are approximately $26.9 million
Most of this funding supports property tax relief. The breakdown includes:
- 70% to the Property Tax Credit Cash Fund
- 12.5% each to local city and county governments
- 2.5% each to the state general fund and problem gambling programs
In 2025 alone, Nebraska collected $52.4 million in gaming taxes, highlighting how quickly the industry has become a major revenue source.
What May 2026 Results Show
The latest revenue figures reveal a couple of secrets about Nebraska’s gaming market:
- Strong demand for slot machines, especially in urban markets like Omaha and Lincoln
- Continued growth, though at a slower and more sustainable pace
- Increasing contributions to state and local tax funding
- Gradual development of smaller segments, like sports betting and table games
As more properties continue to mature and optimize their offerings, Nebraska’s casino industry appears well-positioned for steady, long-term growth rather than rapid spikes.
