Lake Mac Casino Resort and Quarter Horse Racetrack Finally Opens

Elite Casino Resorts, in partnership with Nebraska businessman Brian Becker, will open the highly anticipated Lake Mac Casino Resort and the permanent 5/8 Quarter Horse racetrack on August 19.

Lake Mac Casino Resort Opens

Gates will open at 1 pm MDT, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 2 pm, with the first Quarter Horse race will begin soon after that. The Lake Mac Casino opening will feature a provisional gaming area operated by Elite Casino Resorts, offering approximately 300 slot machines and around a dozen electronic table games, including roulette, blackjack, and bubble craps. An Elite Sportsbook will also be available, complete with a staffed counter and self-service betting kiosks.

Eventually, this temporary casino will make way for a permanent installation. The long-term plan includes a 37,000-square-foot gaming floor featuring 650 slot machines, 20 live-dealer table games, and a sportsbook lounge. The resort will also include a 180-room hotel, a convention center, RV grounds, and a variety of restaurants and bars.

As with all casinos in Nebraska, Lake Mac will contribute 20% of its gross gaming revenue to the state. Of that amount, 70% will go to the Property Tax Credit Cash Fund to help reduce homeowners’ property taxes. Another 25% will be distributed to the casino’s host county and city. Finally, the remaining 5% will be divided between the state’s General Fund and programs supporting compulsive gambling treatment.

In addition, according to Cynthia Smith, director of racing at the Nebraska Quarter Horse Racing Association, the return of Quarter Horse racing to Nebraska marks a significant victory for the local and agricultural economy. She emphasized that the greatest impact will be felt by Nebraska’s Quarter Horse breeders and trainers, who now have more opportunities closer to home. Smith expressed optimism about the future, stating that there is much to look forward to for the state’s Quarter Horse racing industry in the years ahead.

It Wasn’t Easy Getting to This Stage

Brian Becker secured the opportunity to develop a casino through a 2020 statewide referendum that approved casino gambling at Nebraska’s six licensed horse racetracks. He had previously acquired the racing license for Queen City Downs in 2002 and founded Hastings Exposition and Racing that same year.

Becker initially partnered with the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma to develop a casino in Hastings. However, after the local city council raised objections and the Chickasaw Nation withdrew from the project, Becker later formed a new partnership with Elite Casino Resorts.