GRAND ISLAND — Santa Claus is bringing a casino to Grand Island this year.
The new temporary casino at Fonner Park is expected to be open by Christmas. Fonner Park Chief Executive Officer Chris Kotulak hopes the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission gives final approval of the casino’s operation Dec. 14.
The temporary casino is being built inside the Fonner Park concourse. Work began Sept. 8.
When it opens, it will have 280 slot machines and kiosks for wagering on live and simulcast horse races.
“The Racing and Gaming Commission wanted to make sure that racing had a presence, and I appreciate that, so they’ve asked that we add additional television monitors and some wagering terminals where people can wager on horse racing in addition to whatever casino games they’re playing†in the temporary facility, Kotulak said.
People will also be able to bet on simulcast and live races at the Finish Line Restaurant, where keno operations will also continue. The temporary casino will include a snack bar.
Kotulak hopes that workers will begin laying carpet this week.
Elite Casino Resorts, which is Fonner’s partner in the casino operation, is paying for the remodeling.
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The Grand Island casino will be the second to open at one of the state's licensed horse tracks after voters in November 2020 approved casino wagering.
WarHorse Casino opened a temporary casino with 433 slot machines at Lincoln Race Course in October and generated more than $1.14 million in state and local tax revenue in its first five weeks.
The Grand Island casino will be open from 8 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays, gaming will begin at 8 a.m. and continue until 3 a.m.
Table games (craps and blackjack) will probably be added a few months after the temporary casino opens, Fonner Park officials said.
The main entrance will be through the Heartland Events Center vestibule.
The temporary casino will be used for two to three years. The permanent Grand Island Casino Resort at Fonner Park probably won’t open until 2024 or 2025, with much of the construction needing to wait until after next year's Nebraska State Fair.
Fonner Park's annual live racing meet will begin Feb. 10.