Nebraska: Grand Island casino seeing customer influx a year after retail sports betting launch

The Grand Island casino in Nebraska has seen an influx of customers since it launched The Elite Sportsbook last year. General Manager Vince Fiala noted that Nebraska football’s matchup against Iowa marked the first time that customers could bet on high-stakes games. Speaking to KSNB, Fiala said he saw lots of bets that night.

“There were over 425 bets that were placed or wagers on that game alone, which was our highest one in November, so that’s really good, and the wagers were a little bit over $100 which is kind of the average wager on a game like that,” Fiala told the publication.

Over $45,000 was bet on the highly-contested game of Nebraska and Iowa on Black Friday. Even when the regular college football season is done, "there is still plenty to get excited about in the sports betting world," according to Fiala.

“College football season is our second highest, compared to NFL is still higher. But this year, it was a really good season for us. I really look forward to the playoffs. Twelve teams this year. It’s gonna make a big difference,” he said.

Before the college football season started, the Olympics brought in some good business. “This year, we had the Olympics too. We were able to take a few bets on that,” Fiala added. “Each month it looks like the NRGC (Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission) takes a look and says, ‘Okay what’s coming up? Is this something that people would want to wager on?‘” 

Fiala foresees the soccer season bringing in sports bettors and when the casino’s full facility opens, he said they will have a much larger betting floor.

Once complete, the new facility will include 750 slot machines and 20 table games. It will also feature a show lounge on the gaming floor for local and regional entertainment. There will be a 162-room hotel with a full-service salon and spa plus an indoor-outdoor pool. Grand Island Casino Resort continues to be on schedule for an early 2025 opening.