2024 Boards and Commissions

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Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission

General Information
  • Formal Name:
    Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission
  • Contact Person:
    Laurie Holman
  • Purpose:
    The purpose of the Racing and Gaming Commission is to provide statewide regulation of horseracing and games of chance as defined in the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming act in order to prevent and eliminate corrupt practices and fraudulent behavior, and thereby maintain a high level of integrity and honesty in the horseracing industry of Nebraska and the operation of games of chance in Nebraska, and to ensure that all funds received by the commission are properly distributed. Neb. Rev. Stat. 2-1201.01
  • How Many Affectable:
    blank
  • How Many Served:
    blank
  • Year Created:
    1935 horseracing, 2021 addition of gaming
  • Year Active:
    1935
  • Sunset Date:
    None
Authorization
  • Authorization Citation:
    2-1201 et seq, 9-1101 et seq, 9-1201 et seq.
  • Parent Agency:
    None, we are an independent state agency
Memberships and Meetings
  • Number Of Members:
    7
  • Who Appoints:
    Governor
  • Legislative Approval:
    Yes, confirmation
  • Qualifications Of Members:
    One member of the commission shall be appointed from each congressional district (3 total), two at large members, and two additional at large members, one of which must have experience in the gaming industry, and one must have experience in the horseracing industry.
  • Per Diem:
    $1000.00 per month
  • Expense Reimbursement:
    yes
  • Term Length:
    4 years
  • Terms Rotate or Expire At Once:
    Terms Rotate
Meetings Required In:
  • Required FY 21-22:
    not specified in statute
  • Held FY 21-22:
    blank
  • Required FY 22-23:
    not specified in statute
  • Held FY 22-23:
    blank
  • Required FY 23-24:
    not specified in statute
  • Held FY 23-24:
    blank
Operations
  • Support Staff:
    33
  • Shared or Separate:
    Separate
  • FY 21-22 Budget:
    blank
  • FY 22-23 Budget:
    blank
  • FY 23-24 Budget:
    blank
  • Other Funding Sources:
    blank
  • Spending Authority:
    blank
Accomplishments
  • Since July 1, 2020:
    Since the voter initiative in 2020 approved the building of casinos at licensed racetrack enclosures, the commission has grown from 2 staff to its current number of 33 staff, and has overseen the growth of the gaming industry in the state. We now have 4 operating casinos with one in Omaha, one in Lincoln, one in Grand Island, and one in Columbus. We have two additional racetracks in the state that are potentially going to open casinos in the next few years. We are working hard to boost the horseracing industry and have seen a very encouraging growth in the number of horses being born in Nebraska. We doubled the number of horse races held in the state in 2024, and this growth will continue. Most notably, due to the 20% tax paid by the gaming operators, the commission has been collecting gaming tax revenue since the first casino opened in the state in September of 2022, and has contributed over $21,800,000.00 to the state property tax relief credit fund.