The corn may have been knee-high in July, but the casino revenue shot up further in August.
Nebraska's casino industry experienced strong growth last month, resulting in a significant boost to the state's revenue figures.
According to data from the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission, the state's five casinos brought in a combined total of $24 million this August.
This marks a 49% increase from the $16 million reported in August 2024. This news comes as lawmakers are still trying to decide if online sports betting should be legalized.
What Factors Help Grow the Nebraska Casino Industry's Revenue?
The expansion of casino operations and the opening of new venues, especially the Lake Mac Casino Resort & Racetrack, played a pivotal role in this surge, but there are other factors, including:
Casino Expansions: Casinos such as WarHorse Omaha underwent major expansions in 2025, increasing the number of slot machines, adding sports betting, and offering more dining and entertainment options—directly leading to higher visitor volumes and spending.
Increased Slot and Table Game Revenue: Slot revenue rose 36.9% from the prior year, while table games and electronic table games saw jumps of 84% and nearly 400% respectively, illustrating heightened engagement across the gaming floor.
Sports Betting Growth: Retail sports betting revenue recorded major gains, growing fivefold from $175,009 to $876,969 compared to August 2024, as more Nebraskans and visitors participated in newly available betting options.
Wider Market Reach: Nebraska’s market now includes five operating casinos, up from fewer previously, so more licensed venues gave customers easier access and contributed to higher aggregate revenue.
Seasonal and Tourism Effects: Casinos capitalized on summer travel and local tourism, with new amenities and promotions attracting larger crowds
Harrah's Columbus also had another particularly strong month. But we've been seeing revenue numbers like this in Nebraska for months.
Breaking Down the Nebraska Casino Revenue Surge
Slot machines were the standout performers, generating about $20 million in August alone.
This represents a nearly 37% rise from $14.5 million the previous year. Table games also saw a healthy upswing, with revenues jumping to $2.1 million—an 84% increase from $1.1 million in 2024.
The electronic table games category experienced a 398% increase, showcasing the growing popularity of these options. Meanwhile, retail sports betting revenue leaped from $175,000 to $877,000, indicating a vibrant interest in sports wagering.
This total revenue growth is not just the result of a thriving local interest in gaming but also the successful launch of new operations, like Lake Mac Casino, and the broadened offerings at existing venues.
For the first time, five full-scale casino properties actively contributed to the state's earnings, unlike previous years when not all had been operational.
Economic Benefits and Tax Impact for The Cornhusker State
By the end of August, Nebraska had collected over $33 million in tax revenue from casinos, surpassing initial projections. A substantial portion of this tax income is dedicated to funding property tax relief.
In the 2024 tax year, this initiative saved almost 200,000 homeowners about $250 each, a number projected to increase in 2025 due to the boosted casino revenues.
As Nebraska's gaming sector continues to expand, it's anticipated to drive further property tax relief, community funding, and tourism growth.
August 2025 turned out to be a banner month for Nebraska's casinos, showing promising gains that benefit both the local economy and individual taxpayers throughout the state. As the market continues to flourish, Nebraska residents can look forward to more economic advantages and entertainment options.
