Nebraska’s latest gambling-friendly plan gets the nod

Hastings Prairie Thunder LLC has received local planning permissions to bring a casino gaming to the 100-year-old Adams County Fairgrounds. The proposal to build a 200-slots-a-head casino with the existing horseracing facility could soon be put before the Hastings City Council.

The initial plan to bring a casino to Hastings was shelved 7 months ago. The latest green light followed changes to the original proposal. It included a 24% reduction in the amount of land that would need to be re-zoned to 38 acres and a commitment to move the venue’s horseracing track to middle of the property.

Nebraska's latest gambling-friendly plan gets the nod. Some local residents are opposed to the idea of bringing a casino to southern Nebraska horseracing venue. Richard French is concerned that the money coming from the casino will take away from local businesses and bring in crime.

Nebraska passed a local constitutional referendum in November of 2020. It allows horseracing tracks to apply for permission to offer Las Vegas-style gambling entertainment.