It could lead to a bigger circulation of horses in the Midwest and purses could grow,” Palmer said. “It could help our horse-racing business. “In three to five years, I think we will start seeing trainers and owners in Iowa finally come back home to Nebraska.”īut Gary Palmer, general manager of Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona, Iowa, said he’s not convinced the new casinos will have a significant impact on horse racing.
“Racing will flourish and grow,” he said. The horse racing industry has been in decline for decades across the country. Newlin said he believes the new casinos will provide a boost to horse racing in the region because their profits will boost prizes at races. Nebraska gambling supporters hope to reclaim a significant part of the roughly $500 million Nebraskans spend annually at casinos in Iowa and other states, said Michael Newlin, general manager of Horseman’s Park in Omaha and Lincoln Race Course.
Casino backers in Nebraska want to open casinos as soon as possible and then expand them to include restaurants, hotels and other amenities.
