South Sioux City, Nebraska is set to witness a significant addition to its local gaming market. Ho-Chunk, Inc. has announced plans to build a brand new casino in this area. This initiative began four years ago with the change in the Nebraska constitution to allow horse racing. Since then, Ho-Chunk has spearheaded projects in Omaha and Lincoln while its subsidiary, Warhorse Gaming, focuses on getting those casinos operational. In South Sioux City, horse racing currently takes place at the Atokad race track, but the attention is now turning to the new casino project.

Benefits and Challenges of the New Casino

Ho-Chunk Inc. CEO Lance Morgan stated that while they are finalizing the draft, the new casino will be a modest one by most standards. The estimated cost of building this latest casino venture in South Sioux City is $50 million. It will face competition from a nearby tribal-owned entity. Morgan emphasized that their aim is not to hurt WinnaVegas and their study shows that most of the revenue will come from the Hard Rock.When completed, the project will offer a comprehensive entertainment package including a horse racing track, a casino with slot machines, table games, and a sportsbook. There is also room for future expansion to include a hotel. The track and casino will be built on two 40-acre plots of land, with the track on the east parcel and the casino on the west.Ho-Chunk also needs to convert the horse racing license to a casino license before the casino opens. The land for the project is located just south of Highway 20, not far from the middle and high schools. However, Morgan highlighted the many positives of bringing the casino to South Sioux City. Twenty-five percent of the casino tax goes to the local city and county, providing an additional revenue source for investing in schools and infrastructure. This could mean millions in additional revenue for South Sioux City and Dakota County. The project will also create new jobs in the community. Construction is slated to begin either in the fall of 2025 or the spring of 2026, but there is no word yet on when the casino is expected to open.The construction process is set to begin in 2025, with the current Atokad race track being moved to a new parcel of land south of Highway 20. This new casino is expected to be a major boost to the local economy and community. It will offer residents and visitors a new entertainment option and contribute to the growth and development of South Sioux City.