Ogallala City Council Approves Casino-Racetrack, Sending Application to the State

Ogallala, a town of about 4,500 people, held a public input session at this week’s city council meeting about the possibility of building a racetrack and casino. The council voted 3-2 in favor of the proposal.

Jane Skinner is city administrator for Ogallala and said two citizens advocated for a casino, a few others were neutral, and seven speakers were against the idea. Skinner said she sees both sides of the argument.

“There’s definite economic development benefits that would help us grow as a community. We are kind of on the cusp of growing into a larger community and this could really be the shot in the arm that pushes us forward,” Skinner said. “Then there’s also the social-economic things that go along with a casino.”

Skinner said a group of Ogallala community leaders visited Canterbury Park in Minnesota this year, which is the same company proposing a casino in Ogallala. They came away believing Canterbury could become a strong community partner.

Canterbury has plans to develop an entire racing season, which surpasses the minimum requirement of one race per year to operate

The town is sending an application seeking approval for a casino and racetrack to the Nebraska Gaming Commission. The narrow approval from the city council will be attached to the application, along with Canterbury’s plan. Nebraska’s Gaming Commission is still working out the rules new casinos and racetracks will follow.