WarHorse Pours $100M Into South Sioux City for Third Nebraska Casino

By jili tutorial · August 31, 2026

WarHorse Gaming Breaks Ground on Third Nebraska Casino in South Sioux City

WarHorse Gaming, a subsidiary of Ho-Chunk Inc. (the commercial arm of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska), officially started construction on its third Nebraska casino this morning, August 27. The $100 million development—WarHorse Casino South Sioux City—marks a major expansion for the tribe in the state’s growing gaming market.

A $100 Million Investment in South Sioux City

The project includes a 100-room hotel, an outdoor pool complex, live horse racing, and a casino floor with 600 slot machines, 16 table games, and a small sportsbook featuring betting kiosks. A rendering of the new casino shows a modern entertainment destination.

“South Sioux City has been part of the vision for WarHorse from the beginning, and we’re excited to get started,” said Lance Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc. “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.”

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

Phased Development

Morgan explained that the project will be developed in two phases. The casino facility will open first to “establish a presence in the market.” Once fully completed, Ho-Chunk expects the complex to become one of Nebraska’s premier entertainment and hospitality destinations.

“We want people to think differently about what a trip to South Sioux City can look like,” Morgan added. “You can come for the casino, but there will be plenty of reasons to stay. Whether it’s dinner, a concert, a weekend away, or a day at the races, we’re creating an entertainment destination that we think will give people across Siouxland a new reason to come to Nebraska.”

WarHorse Dominates Nebraska’s Casino Market

Since Nebraska voters approved racino-style casino gambling through a 2020 ballot referendum, WarHorse Gaming has become the state’s dominant operator. The company partnered with the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association to develop several racetrack casinos.

Revenue Performance in 2026

For the first seven months of 2026, WarHorse Casino Omaha led all Nebraska racetrack casinos with gross gaming revenue (GGR) of $70.3 million from slots, table games, and its retail sportsbook. WarHorse Casino Lincoln ranked second at $55.7 million, followed by Grand Island Casino & Resort ($38.5 million), Harrah’s Columbus NE Racing & Casino ($14.9 million), and Lake Mac Casino & Resort in Ogallala ($8.2 million).

Online Sports Betting Referendum on the Horizon

Nebraska’s gaming industry could expand further if voters approve a November ballot measure on mobile sports betting. Currently, sports betting is limited to in-person wagers at casinos. WarHorse Gaming supports the referendum, while DraftKings and FanDuel have primarily funded the campaign.

Supporters argue that authorizing online sportsbooks would increase annual property tax relief, since Nebraska law directs gaming tax revenue primarily toward residential property tax credits. Opponents, however, warn that more gambling will lead to greater financial hardship for families and claim the initiative is driven by out-of-state gaming interests.