WarHorse Bets $100M on South Sioux City, Company’s Third Casino in Nebraska

WarHorse Gaming is officially underway with construction on its third casino in Nebraska by way of South Sioux City.

WarHorse Gaming, a subsidiary of Ho-Chunk Inc., the commercial economic arm of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, broke ground on WarHorse Casino South Sioux City this morning (Aug. 27).

The tribe says its third gaming property in the Cornhusker State represents a $100 million investment. The project includes a 100-room hotel, an outdoor pool complex, live horse racing, and a casino floor featuring 600 slot machines, 16 table games, and a small sportsbook with sports betting kiosks.

“South Sioux City has been part of the vision for WarHorse from the beginning, and we’re excited to get started. We’ve seen the excitement WarHorse has generated in Lincoln and Omaha, not to mention the economic impact. This is a significant investment, and we’re building a destination we believe will make a real impact on the region,” said Lance Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk, Inc.

Along with the casino and hotel, WarHorse Casino South Sioux City will include a full-service restaurant called the Nebraska Ale Haus, a second-story patio bar, convention space, and an outdoor concert venue.

Phased Development

Morgan said the South Sioux City venture will be built in two phases, with the casino facility first opening to “establish a presence in the market.” Once the full build-out is completed, Ho-Chunk expects the development to be among Nebraska’s major entertainment and hospitality destinations.

WarHorse Gaming is already the dominant operator in Nebraska’s casino industry, which voters authorized through a statewide ballot referendum in 2020. After the racino law was enacted, WarHorse partnered with the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA) to develop the group’s racetrack casinos.

In 2026, through July, WarHorse Casino Omaha generated gross gaming revenue (GGR) of $70.3 million from its slots, table games, and retail sportsbook. That led Nebraska’s five racetrack casinos.

WarHorse Casino Lincoln was second, with GGR of $55.7 million during the seven months. Grand Island Casino & Resort was third at $38.5 million, Harrah’s Columbus NE Racing & Casino was fourth at $14.9 million, and Lake Mac Casino & Resort in Ogallala was fifth at $8.2 million.

Online Sports Betting

Nebraska’s gaming industry could expand in the coming years if voters in November approve a ballot referendum regarding mobile sports betting. Currently, sports betting in Nebraska is limited to in-person wagers at the casinos.

WarHorse Gaming supported the referendum campaign, while DraftKings and FanDuel primarily funded the political operation.

Over the months ahead, Nebraskans will be told that by authorizing online sportsbooks, their annual property tax relief could grow. Nebraska’s gaming law requires that the state’s tax revenue primarily benefits homeowners by way of residential property tax credits.

Opponents of the online sports betting drive will say more gambling will lead to more financial problems for families, and that the initiative was primarily driven by out-of-state gaming interests.