Ho-Chunk Inc. is proud to announce the groundbreaking of WarHorse South Sioux, a $100 million tribal casino development located in South Sioux City, Nebraska.
The 63,000-square-foot project at 4501 G Street, adjacent to the Atokad Downs racetrack, will showcase 600 slot machines, 16 table games, and a 100-room hotel.
WarHorse South Sioux is the third major casino project in Nebraska by Ho-Chunk Inc. The company’s other properties are in Omaha and Lincoln. This new development is expected to create hundreds of jobs and generate significant local tax revenue.
Designed as an entertainment destination rather than a traditional casino, WarHorse South Sioux will include an outdoor concert venue, conference space, and a 5,700-seat amphitheater for concerts and community events.
The casino will feature a large sports bar with a unique design, incorporating a dark horse theme utilizing masculine, rusted steel, and exposed steel structures.
The construction will be done in two phases to allow for partial openings while work continues on the rest of the development.
Lance Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., emphasized the incorporation of windows, outdoor gathering areas, and other open-air features in the project. The goal is to attract visitors beyond just gambling.
The casino will be connected to the Atokad racetrack, which will host additional races in the fall. Ho-Chunk Capital CEO Aaron Lapointe announced that racing events will take place over the Labor Day weekend.
Ho-Chunk Inc. also owns approximately 20 acres of nearby land, allowing for potential future expansion opportunities.
This project is expected to provide a significant economic boost to South Sioux City and the broader Siouxland region.
Morgan estimates the casino will create around 230 jobs. City officials anticipate more than 200 permanent positions once the development is complete, along with hundreds of construction jobs during the two-year build.
Lori Warner, President of the South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, believes that the development will benefit local businesses by attracting visitors to various events, including concerts and conferences. She expects an increase in spending at local hotels, restaurants, and retail establishments.
Mayor Rod Koch sees this project as a catalyst for further development in the area, including new housing, roads, and commercial projects surrounding the casino.
The projected revenue from the casino is estimated to be $40 million, generating approximately $9 million in tax revenue, with 25% of that amount shared between the host city and county.
Nebraska voters approved casino gambling at licensed horse racetracks through Initiative 431 in 2020, imposing a 20% tax on gross gaming revenue. Of the gaming tax revenue, 75% goes towards property tax relief and statewide priorities, while 25% is allocated to local governments.
Morgan played a role in drafting the local revenue-sharing provision and emphasized the distinction from neighboring Iowa, where casino tax revenue is not distributed to host cities in the same manner.
Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic development corporation of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and owner of the WarHorse brand, is spearheading this project. The tribe also owns the WinnaVegas Casino Resort in Sloan, Iowa.
Morgan shared that the WarHorse properties in Omaha and Lincoln have created around 850 gaming jobs. The company currently employs approximately 2,300 people across its various businesses.
Upon the completion of WarHorse South Sioux, Morgan expects the gaming division to surpass 1,000 employees, with dealers earning an average of $60,000 to $65,000 annually.
Ho-Chunk has a history of pursuing casino development in the Siouxland region. In 2013, the company was a finalist for Sioux City’s first land-based casino, with Morgan leading the Warrior Entertainment proposal to revitalize the Warrior Hotel and Davidson Building. The plan included a rooftop bar, now part of the renovated property.
Despite the rejection of the proposal by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, which awarded the casino license to Hard Rock, Morgan has expressed criticism, including through social media comments directed at Hard Rock.
The completion of the WarHorse South Sioux casino is scheduled for 2027, with gaming operations set to commence later that year.