WarHorse Gaming has officially started construction on a new casino and hospitality development in South Sioux City, marking the company’s third gaming property in Nebraska and a significant investment in the region’s entertainment sector.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on August 27 at a site adjacent to the Atokad Downs racetrack. The project carries a reported value of $100 million and forms part of WarHorse Gaming’s continued expansion across Nebraska’s regulated casino market.
WarHorse Gaming operates as a subsidiary of Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic development corporation of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. The company has already established casino operations in Lincoln and Omaha following the legalization of racetrack casinos in the state.
According to project details released by the company, the South Sioux City property will include approximately 600 slot machines, 16 table games, live and simulcast horse racing, and a 100-room hotel. Plans also call for an outdoor pool area, a sportsbook section featuring sports betting kiosks, convention facilities, and multiple entertainment offerings.
Lance Morgan, president and chief executive officer of Ho-Chunk, described the project as a long-term objective for the company.
“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 Morgan, according to KTIV.
Project Scheduled for Multi-Stage Construction
WarHorse plans to develop the property in two phases. Company representatives said the approach will allow casino operations to begin while additional construction continues on the broader resort and entertainment complex.
The completed venue is expected to feature Nebraska Ale Haus, a full-service restaurant accompanied by a second-floor patio bar. Plans also include an outdoor concert venue designed to attract visitors from across the wider Siouxland area.
Morgan said the phased strategy is intended to help establish the property’s presence in the market before the entire development is finished.
“We want people to think differently about what a trip to South Sioux City can look like,” Morgan said. “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.”
The South Sioux City groundbreaking also coincided with a personal milestone for Morgan as the ceremony took place on his 58th birthday.
Horse Racing Returns to Atokad Downs
The casino project will operate alongside racing activities at Atokad Downs, reinforcing the partnership between WarHorse Gaming and Nebraska horse racing interests.
WarHorse and Ho-Chunk previously partnered with the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association to develop racetrack casinos following voter approval of casino gambling in Nebraska in 2020.
Atokad Downs is scheduled to resume live thoroughbred racing beginning August 29. Ho-Chunk announced that racing dates will take place on August 29 and 30, followed by additional events during Labor Day weekend on September 5, 6 and 7.
The venue plans to host four thoroughbred races each day, including one race reserved for Nebraska-bred horses. Daily racing is set to begin at 1:30 p.m., with approximately 30 minutes separating each event.
Organizers also plan family-oriented activities, contests, giveaways and performances by traditional Winnebago dancers. Attendance will be free, although wagering will be restricted to guests aged 21 and older.
Nebraska Gaming Market Continues to Expand
WarHorse enters the South Sioux City project from a position of strength within Nebraska’s casino industry.
Through the first seven months of 2026, WarHorse Casino Omaha generated gross gaming revenue of $70.3 million, leading all racetrack casinos in the state. WarHorse Casino Lincoln ranked second with $55.7 million in revenue during the same period.
Other Nebraska racetrack casinos reported lower totals, with Grand Island Casino & Resort generating $38.5 million, Harrah’s Columbus NE Racing & Casino recording $14.9 million, and Lake Mac Casino & Resort producing $8.2 million.
The state’s gaming sector could undergo another change later this year as Nebraska voters prepare to consider a ballot referendum on mobile sports betting. Current regulations permit sports wagering only at licensed casino locations.
WarHorse Gaming has supported the effort to expand sports betting to online platforms. Supporters argue that additional wagering activity could increase tax revenues earmarked for residential property tax relief, while opponents have raised concerns about the potential social effects of broader gambling access.