Harrah’s Columbus, NE Racing & Casino, Caesars Entertainment’s first venture in Nebraska, opened its doors to guests for the first time on Friday. Caesars, Columbus Exposition and Racing and the Columbus community celebrated the occasion with a ribbon cutting, giveaways and more.
Opening day guests received commemorative Harrah’s shirts before making the property’s first spins on the slots, table game wagers and first bets at the Caesars Race & Sportsbook. The first jackpot was hit at 10:14 a.m. with a lucky guest winning $1,876 on Power Push.
“We’re so proud to open the doors to Harrah’s Columbus, NE Racing & Casino for the first time today,” said Todd Connelly, Regional President of Caesars Entertainment. “Harrah’s is an iconic brand that our guests have come to know and love across the country. We’re so happy to be here with our partners and friends as we celebrate what is sure to be a bright future in Nebraska.”
The property features a 17,000-square-foot casino with 400 slot machines, 11 table games and a Caesars Race & Sportsbook featuring a 2,100-square-foot sports and simulcast betting area located on the casino floor.
The area contains 17 viewing screens, including a 163-inch video wall. The opening of the sportsbook at this property marks the first time Caesars Sportsbook has accepted sports wagers in the Cornhusker State.
Harrah’s Columbus also features the restaurant Brew Brothers, founded by the Carano family in 1995, and a bar called Wishbones. A Marriott Fairfield Inn and Townplace Suites is under construction nearby and will connect directly to the casino once complete later this year.
In partnership with Columbus Exposition and Racing, Harrah’s Columbus Nebraska will be home to a one-mile racetrack, the longest track in the state. The track will host 15 live races every Friday – Sunday from Aug. 16 to Sept. 15, as well as one on Labor Day. Each date will offer all-ages Grandstand seating, along with 21+ in-person and kiosk betting.
“Columbus has a rich history of horse racing and we’re very proud to be a part of that and maybe more in August going forward, so we couldn’t be more happy,” Connelly said.