Since the opening of the state’s first Native casino in 1996 — the Santee Sioux Nation’s Ohiya Casino — three more Native casinos have opened in Nebraska.
Ohiya Casino and Bingo
1. Who owns the casino?
The Santee Sioux Nation
2. When did it open?
February 1996
3. Where is it located?
At the intersection of Nebraska 12 and Spur 54D, Niobrara, Neb.
4. How big is the casino?
About 14,000 square feet
5. What kinds of games do you offer?
We offer real time bingo and about 200 video gaming and electronic pull-tab machines.
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6. What else does your casino offer patrons?
We offer a full restaurant that seats about 75 people and a buffet. We also offer live bingo every Thursday through Sunday that seats up to 100 people.
There is a 24-hour fuel plaza and RV park.
7. How many people does the casino employ?
The casino employs 30 people and 99 percent of them are tribal members.
8. How much revenue does the casino generate each year?
We don’t give out that information, but I can tell you 100 percent of it goes back into the tribe. We have a $500,000 payroll in Knox County.
The purpose of this casino was to create employment opportunities and reduce the astronomically high unemployment rates in this county and that’s what we continue to do.
— Thelma Thomas, manager of Ohiya Casino and Bingo
Iron Horse Bar and Casino
1. Who owns the casino?
The Winnebago Tribe
2. When did it open?
July 2004
3. Where is it located?
1010 S. Main St., Emerson, Neb.
4. How big is the casino?
An expansion of the casino was completed about three weeks ago, adding more than 1,500 square feet to the already 2,000 square feet of space.
5. What kinds of games do you offer?
There are 54 Class II bingo machines that are operated in an agreement with Rocket Games, an electronic bingo machine company owned by the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma.
6. What else does your casino offer patrons?
We have a full restaurant that seats about 50 people and a sports bar and lounge area.
7. How many people does the casino employee?
There are 24 employees.
8. How many people walk through your doors each week?
More than 200 people.
9. How much revenue does the casino generate?
We don’t give out that information unless authorized by the tribe to do so.
10. Where does this money go?
100 percent goes back to the tribe.
We use local businesses in our trade agreements, such as the local grocery store and we also employ non-Natives. We also help out the local economy in Emerson by paying taxes.
— Brian Chamberlain, CEO of the Winnebago Gaming Development Corp.
Native Star Casino
1. Who owns the casino?
The Winnebago Tribe
2. When did it open?
Dec. 29, 2005
3. Where is it located?
It is located in the Heritage Express Food Store, 1501 Industrial Parkway, Winnebago, Neb.
4. How big is the casino?
It is about 20 feet across and 30 feet long.
5. What kinds of games do you offer?
There are 30 Class II bingo machines that are operated in an agreement with Rocket Games, an electronic bingo machine company owned by the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma.
6. How many people does the casino employee?
There are 10 employees and all are members of the Ho-Chunk Nation.
7. How many people walk through your doors daily?
About 45 to 50 people.
8. How much revenue does the casino generate?
We don’t give out that information unless authorized by the tribe to do so.
9. Where does this money go?
100 percent goes back to the tribe.
The Native Star Casino grand opening is planned for the beginning of spring.
— Brian Chamberlain, CEO of the Winnebago Gaming Development Corp.
Lucky 77 Casino
1. Who owns the casino?
The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska
2. When did it open?
August 2005
3. Where is it located?
200 Main St., Walthill, Neb.
4. What kinds of games do you offer?
About 50 bingo-type machines.
5. What else does your casino offer patrons?
A drive-up window for the snack shop.
This information was gathered when the casino first opened last year. On Friday, Ansley Griffin, Lucky 77 Casino general manager, said he was instructed not to give interviews. Attorneys for the tribe were unavailable for comment.
