Published on: August 19, 2025, 07:46h.
Updated on: August 19, 2025, 09:01h.
- Lake Mac Casino is set to open Tuesday
- The temporary casino will be located in Ogallala
- Elite Casino Resorts is the driving force behind this venture
The opening of Lake Mac Casino marks Nebraska’s latest addition to its gaming scene, debuting on Tuesday in Ogallala.
Following the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission’s approval of Lake Mac Casino’s strategic plan, the collaboration between Elite Casino Resorts and local entrepreneur Brian Becker will see the opening of the 5/8 Quarter Horse racetrack alongside a temporary gaming facility on Tuesday.
Gates will open at 1 pm MDT, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony slated for 2 pm, and the inaugural Quarter Horse race commencing at 3 pm. The casino’s gaming area will open shortly after the race, around 4 pm.
“The return of Quarter Horse racing to Nebraska presents a significant advantage for the local agricultural economy,” stated Cynthia Smith, Director of Racing at the Nebraska Quarter Horse Racing Association. “This provides greater opportunities for Nebraska Quarter Horse breeders and trainers. We are optimistic about the industry’s future in the coming years.”
Becker noted that a majority of the state’s 13,500 Quarter Horse owners reside in Western Nebraska, making the Lake Mac Racetrack the sole facility dedicated to Quarter Horse racing in the state.
Considered the fastest breed, the American Quarter Horse thrives in sprinting short distances and is the most popular horse breed across the United States.
Lake Mac Casino is conveniently located at 777 Pony Express Lane, just off Interstate 80 adjacent to Walmart.
Provisional Casino Facilities
The grand opening of Lake Mac Casino on Tuesday will feature a provisional gaming area, with Elite Casino Resorts managing around 300 slot machines, a selection of electronic table games including roulette, blackjack, and bubble craps, as well as an Elite Sportsbook with staffed counters and self-betting kiosks.
In accordance with Nebraska law, smoking is prohibited inside casinos, although complimentary alcohol is available.
This temporary setup will remain operational until the permanent casino and resort are constructed.
Future plans include a sprawling 37K-square-foot gaming area featuring 650 slot machines, 20 live-dealer table games, and a sportsbook lounge, alongside a hotel with 180 rooms, a convention center, RV area, and various dining and bar establishments.
As with all casinos in Nebraska, Lake Mac will contribute 20% of its gross gaming revenue to the state. Of this, 70% will go towards the Property Tax Credit Cash Fund aimed at alleviating homeowners’ property taxes. In addition, 25% of the state’s gaming revenue will be returned to the locality hosting the casino, and the remaining 5% will be allocated between the General Fund and programs addressing compulsive gambling.
Focus on Western Nebraska
Becker was granted the opportunity to establish a casino via a statewide referendum from 2020 that legalized casino gaming at six horse racetracks in the state. He purchased the racing license for Queen City Downs in 2002 and founded Hastings Exposition and Racing the same year.
Initially, Becker partnered with the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma for a casino project in Hastings; however, after the local council opposed the plans and the Chickasaw withdrew, he turned to Elite as his new partner.
With Elite also managing the Grand Island Casino Resort at Fonner Park, approximately a 30-minute journey north of Hastings, Becker and Elite sought a more lucrative market with less competition for gaming and found it in Ogallala.
The closest competitor to Lake Mac Casino remains Fonner Park, located nearly three hours away. Additionally, the casino is expected to draw visitors from northeast Colorado and southeastern Wyoming, especially during the summer months, benefiting from proximity to Lake McConaughy, a popular vacation spot.