Lincoln Casino – Excellent Gambling Opportunities

Whether you’re a fan of slots, horse racing, or bingo, you can undoubtedly find an enjoyable experience at the top Lincoln casino destinations. While the legal gambling situation can sometimes be complicated, our article will help you find the best way to experience gambling at casinos in Lincoln, Nebraska. Learn about Nebraska’s gambling history, the current situation, and where to find the best Lincoln Nebraska casino to suit your needs.

Flag of Lincoln Nebraska

As mentioned, we will take an in-depth look at the various gambling opportunities in Lincoln, Nebraska. We will focus on casinos near Lincoln, Nebraska, and mention other options, such as horse racing, bingo, and lottery. To ensure the best and safest casino experience, we will also briefly go over the history of Nebraska gambling laws and what is currently legal. Use the quicknavi below to navigate through this blog.

Lincoln Nebraska Casino Laws

Gambling in Nebraska can be a complicated affair, depending on what games you enjoy. In the mid-19th and early 20th c. Omaha, Nebraska, was a popular gambling destination, where all forms of gambling, from horse racing to poker, were available. It even gave rise to the popular Omaha Hold’em poker variant. The government banned gambling across the state in 1887, which turned gambling into an underground activity.

Since 1934, with the legalization of pari-mutuel horse race betting, more and more forms of gambling have been legalized across the state. That includes charity bingo in 1958, a state lottery in 1992, and more recently, in 2021, sports betting has been legalized. Below, you can find the legal status of some of the available gambling options:

🎲 Gambling Option ⚖️ Legal Status
Land-Based Casinos: ✔️ Legal, Tribal Casinos
Online Casinos: ❌ Illegal
Lottery: ✔️ Legal
Bingo: ✔️ Legal
Charity Gambling: ✔️ Legal
Poker: ✔️ Legal
Sports Betting: ✔️ Legal
Daily Fantasy: ✔️ Legal
Horse Racing: ✔️ Legal
Slots: ✔️ Legal
Blackjack: ✔️ Legal
Roulette: ✔️ Legal

Thanks to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of the US federal gambling laws, gamblers can play at their favorite tribal Lincoln Casino Nebraska. These casinos are the only way to experience most forms of gambling outside of horse racing, bingo, and lottery. Be aware that the legal gambling age for casinos is 21, but you can participate in lotteries at 19.

Note that Nebraska’s gambling laws are not static and may change in the future, meaning that online gambling can be legalized. For now, there are plenty of ways to gamble in the state, despite the restrictions, so that players can have a fantastic gambling experience. If you want to compare Nebraska’s laws with other states or learn more about legal gambling in the US, it would be best to compare various US gambling laws.

Best Casinos in Lincoln Nebraska List

With the legal situation out of the way, you may be wondering: Does Lincoln, Nebraska have casinos? Unfortunately, as there are no commercial casinos yet, you can only play at the tribal casinos in reservations. The closest ones are at the Winnebago and Omaha reservations, an hour and 45 minutes away by car.

The following list of the best casinos near Lincoln, Nebraska will help you find a suitable land-based casino. Aside from casinos, these places also feature restaurants and resorts so that you can have fun outside of gambling. Rest assured, they are all legal and managed by the National Indian Gaming Commission, authorizing them to use Class II games:

  1. Native Star Casino – Excellent Casino Promotions
  2. Iron Horse Bar & Casino – Best Progressive Jackpot Games
  3. Lucky 77 Casino – Closest to Lincoln
  4. Ohiya Casino & Resort – Largest Slots Selection
  5. Rosebud Casino – Best Variety of Game Types

In the following paragraphs, we will overview each casino and what makes it stand out. That will help you get to know each of the operators and allow you to find your favorite Lincoln casino easily. Have fun with the spectacular game selection and the other great amenities at these land-based operators.

1. Native Star Casino – Great Slots and Bonuses

Located in Winnebago City, Native Star Casino is an hour and 49 minutes away from Lincoln. You can reach it by car through highway 77, and it is 25 miles away from Sioux airport. It’s a smaller location with only 600 sq/ft, but you can find more than 80 outstanding slot machines, with excellent bingo rooms for players 19 and up.

The casino is open every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., although it may close later on Fridays and Saturdays. Enjoy the cozy atmosphere of this small establishment, with plenty of promotions and a great restaurant. It is certainly one of the best casinos in Lincoln, Nebraska.

📛 Name: Native Star Casino
🎰 Games: 83 Slots, Bingo
📏 Size: 600 sq/ft
📍 Address: 214 Industrial Rd, Winnebago, 68071, USA
💻 Website: www.nativestarcasinowinnebago.com
☎️ Phone Number: (402) 878-2901
🏢 Owner: Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
🏪 Amenities: Rock River Grill, Convenience Store, Gas Station
⏰ Working Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sat – Fri

What makes this Lincoln casino stand out are its bonuses. Sunday, Monday, and Thursday are Ladies’ Men’s and Senior Day, respectively, where you can earn ten free plays for five points. You can also take part in the Iron Star Rewards loyalty program for extra free play and other rewards, as well as participate in fantastic giveaways.

When you wish to take a break from gambling, you can enjoy free drinks at the casino or hop over to the restaurant for some delicious homemade meals. Enjoy playing spectacular slot games with the friendly community and enhance the fun with various excellent promotions.

2. Iron Horse Bar & Casino – The Railroad Casino

Iron Horse Bar & Casino is located in Emerson, which is an hour and 58 minutes drive away from Lincoln. Emerson was originally a railway junction for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Omaha Railway, hence Iron Horse. Enjoy a 2000 sq/ft casino with over 80 games, including some progressive jackpots from top developers such as AGS and Rocket.

Fans of Native Star will be delighted to know that the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska also owns this casino, making it Native Star’s sister casino. That means you can enjoy fantastic promotions, such as Men’s, Ladies’, and Senior Day, as well as benefit from your Iron Star Rewards card. Bordering on the Winnebago reservation, this is undoubtedly one of the most fun Lincoln Nebraska casino locations.

📛 Name: Iron Horse Bar & Casino
🎰 Games: 89 Slots
📏 Size: 2000 sq/ft
📍 Address: 1106 S. Main St., Emerson, NE
💻 Website: www.winnebagocasinos.com
☎️ Phone Number: 402-695-0180
🏢 Owner: Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
🏪 Amenities: Iron Horse Restaurant
⏰ Working Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Wed-Sun

The casino works from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday, although it may operate longer on Fridays and Saturdays. Meanwhile, the restaurant has lunch hours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner hours from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Note that the casino does not operate on Mondays and Tuesdays, and you need to be 21+ years old to enter.

Aside from Free Play bonuses and special events, such as New Year’s Eve parties, visitors can book exclusive parties with one of four packages, including a special menu and extra free play. Much like Native Star, you can contact them by phone or e-mail and can even organize parties on Monday, with a VIP mailing list available if you wish to receive news of events.

Enjoy this fantastic casino Lincoln Nebraska with excellent games, fun bonuses, and more. While it is far from reaching the heights of casinos in Reno, Iron Horse provides a great casino experience.

3. Lucky 77 Casino – Excellent Slot Games

Located in Walthill, an hour and 43-minute drive from Lincoln, Lucky 77 is the closest of the casinos near Lincoln, Nebraska. It has 1200 sq/ft and more than 60 slot games, making it ideal for those who want to play a quick game. The casino is operated by the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, providing a comfortable small-town casino atmosphere.

While Lucky 77 does not have a website, you can find all the information you need on their Facebook page. It gets updated regularly with new bonus offers and news of special events. All players, 21 years old and up, can enjoy the fun titles at this outstanding operator. Contact them through Facebook or telephone for more information.

📛 Name: Lucky 77 Casino
🎰 Games: 64 Slots
📏 Size: 1200 sq/ft
📍 Address: 200 Main St, Walthill, 68067, USA
💻 Social Media: Facebook
☎️ Phone Number: 402-846-5545
🏢 Owner: Omaha Tribe of Nebraska
🏪 Amenities: Café
⏰ Working Hours: 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. Mon-Sun

The casino can be reached by Highway 77 and is close to the Sioux airport. You can enjoy a variety of bonuses, such as random cash prizes for players with Club cards or even exclusive games. There are also plenty of jackpot prizes, with the minimum bet for games being $0.01, making it ideal for both low rollers and high rollers.

Aside from the casino, there aren’t many other amenities, but the café provides a nice break from the casino excitement. Players can also enjoy fun live events, such as fireworks displays, special bonus games such as Cash Tornado and Gobblers Poker, or gift and cash giveaways. Enjoy an exciting experience with promotions that can rival the bonuses at the best US roulette casinos.

4. Ohiya Casino & Resort – High-Quality Games & Resort

Located in Niobrara, at just over a 3-hour drive by car, Ohiya Casino & Resort is a bit too far to be considered a Lincoln casino. It is one of the first casinos in Nebraska and offers an incredible casino experience, a fantastic resort, and more. That makes it the perfect place for anyone looking for a place to spend their next vacation, whether they’re a fan of gambling or want to relax.

The casino is open every day and features a wide selection of more than 300 slots, with popular titles such as Cleopatra and Valkyries and new machines such as Black Diamond. You can enjoy anything from classic three-reel slots to video slots and even video poker games. You need to be 21+ years old to enjoy these titles, but players 19 and up can play bingo every Sunday, including Electronic Bingo.

📛 Name: Ohiya Casino & Resort
🎰 Games: 374 Slots, Bingo, Video Poker
📏 Size: 35,000 sq/ft
📍 Address: 53142 Hwy 12 | Niobrara, NE 68760
💻 Website: www.ohiyacasino.com
☎️ Phone Number: 402-857-3860
🏢 Owner: Santee Sioux Tribe
🏪 Amenities: Hotel, Pool, Restaurant, Food Court, Lounge, Golf Course
⏰ Working Hours: 10 a.m – 12 a.m. Sun – Thurs 10 a.m. – 1 a.m. Fri – Sat

No casino is complete without bonuses, which is why Ohiya has plenty of promotions, ranging from giveaways to free play bonuses and jackpot competitions. You can also join the Player’s Club to earn points every time you play and participate in various extra promotions. When you wish to take a break, you can visit the Legends restaurant, grab a quick snack at the Café Court or relax with a drink and play bar-top games at the Lounge.

Aside from the casino, Ohiya also has a large Four Winds Event Hall, where visitors can enjoy live concerts, performances, and other events. You can also reserve a room at the luxurious hotel rooms and relax at the spa or other available amenities. Enjoy a high-quality casino and resort experience, matched only by the best casino resorts and remember that Ohiya means “win,” so you are guaranteed a fun time.

5. Rosebud Casino – Top Poker Experience

Located the furthest from Lincoln at a 5-hour drive to Valentine is Rosebud Casino. Owned by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, it has 10,500 sq/ft of space with more than 200 slot machines. It is too far to count as a casino in Lincoln Nebraska, but its quality will certainly make the trip worth your time.

Whether you want to enjoy a varied casino experience or wish to rest at the excellent hotel, you are bound to enjoy yourself at Rosebud Casino.

The casino first opened on the 14th of August 1994 as a deli with some slot machines. Since then, it has grown to offer a wide range of exciting slot machines for all players 21 and up and excellent bingo rooms for 19+-year-olds. Experience the legend of Wild Bill Hickok with the great poker rooms, where you can enjoy Ultimate Texas Hold’em or fantastic blackjack tables.

📛 Name: Rosebud Casino
🎰 Games: 250 Slots, Bingo, Poker, Blackjack
📏 Size: 10,500 sq/ft
📍 Address: 30421 US Highway 83 | Valentine, NE 69201
💻 Website: www.rosebudcasino.com
☎️ Phone Number: Casino: (800)-786-ROSE (7673), Hotel: (605)-653-3489
🏢 Owner: Rosebud Sioux Tribe
🏪 Amenities: Hotel, Restaurant, RV Park, Live Events, Gas Station
⏰ Working Hours: 8 a.m – 12 a.m. Sun – Thurs, 8 a.m. – 12 a.m. Fri – Sat

Players can enjoy fantastic bonus offers that update frequently, such as free play bonuses and cash giveaways. You can also compete with fellow gamblers in slot tournaments for prizes. As always, you can relax in the casino’s restaurant, The Rosebud Room, established in 1995, and enjoy high-quality food or book a room at the aptly named Quality Inn hotel. There’s also a gas station and an RV Park for those on a road trip.

Finally, you can also enjoy various live events, such as the 4th of July fireworks. Everything is designed to provide a comfortable and fun experience for both gamblers and those just wishing to enjoy their vacation. Have fun with the spectacular Rosebud casino; its exciting games are comparable in quality to those found at the best New Jersey online casinos.

Other Forms of Gambling in Nebraska

Aside from casinos near Lincoln, Nebraska, there are several other legal forms of gambling, according to Nebraska gambling laws. There are a few bingo parlors across Lincoln, such as Cornhusker Bingo and Superior Bingo. You can also participate in raffles, charity gambling, or the state lottery, legal since 1992. Remember that you must be 19 years old to participate in the lottery.

Horse Racing in Nebraska

Finally, players can also enjoy horse racing, with the largest track being the Lincoln Race Course, where players can bet on pari-mutuel horse racing and watch the events while dining at the restaurant. You can even place bets on races across the country, such as the Kentucky Derby and Pegasus World Cup. Enjoy the excitement of a real horse race, similar to the top horse racing movies.

Conclusion – Future of Nebraska Gambling

In 2021, legislation was passed that legalized both sports betting and commercial casino gambling. It will take some time for the facilities to be fully implemented, but players can now freely enjoy gambling in the state. The future of Nebraska gambling looks bright, and hopefully, one day, online gambling will be legal too. In the meantime, you can have fun with the exciting casinos near Lincoln, Nebraska, and the various horse racing tracks.

We hope you enjoyed our look into the various Lincoln casinos. Always remember that in the US, the gambling laws vary by state, so you should review them carefully before jumping in. Enjoy a safe and legal gambling experience with the high-quality library of games at the casinos in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Lincoln Casino FAQ Section

Our Lincoln casino overview will now answer all your pressing questions to ensure the ultimate Nebraska gambling experience. Learn more about the top casinos, how to claim their bonuses and get some extra information on the legal situation. Have fun with the wide variety of fun games at Lincoln, Nebraska casino.

1️⃣ Is casino gambling in Lincoln, Nebraska legal?

According to Nebraska gambling laws playing at a casino Lincoln Nebraska is legal provided it is one of the tribal casinos. You can enjoy various excellent games, such as slot machines with progressive jackpots or bingo rooms. Some operators even offer poker games, blackjack games, and video poker titles for a unique experience.

2️⃣ Does Lincoln, Nebraska have casinos?

Currently, there are no casinos in Lincoln itself, but you can enjoy various casinos near Lincoln, Nebraska. Most of them are tribal casinos and are a few hours away from the city, but they provide a wide selection of games and bonuses. Some also function as resorts, allowing you to relax at hotels and enjoy live events.

3️⃣ What is the closest casino to Lincoln, Nebraska?

The closest casino near Lincoln Nebraska is Lucky 77 Casino. It is only an hour and 43 minutes away from Lincoln by car in Walthill, owned by the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska. It is suitable for players of all budgets, and you can win some truly spectacular prizes or play exclusive bonus games.

4️⃣ What other forms of gambling are legal in Lincoln, Nebraska?

Aside from tribal casinos, players can enjoy other legal forms of gambling, such as the state lottery, bingo, and even some charity gambling. You can also bet on horse racing and enjoy high-quality simulcast events from all over the country or bet on local races at the largest racetrack, located in Lincoln, Nebraska.

5️⃣ Which Lincoln casino has the best games library?

Although it is far from Lincoln, you can find the best variety of games at Rosebud Casino, with more than 200 slots, poker and blackjack tables, and bingo games. Players can also participate in exciting tournaments and win prizes from exciting giveaways. It is undoubtedly one of the most impressive Nebraska tribal casinos.

Enjoyed this article? Share it with your friends!

Similar Articles