Casino opens in downtown Omaha

The casino has 200 slot machines and a snack and beverage bar. 

Omaha police and fire will be used to maintain safety, but the tribe plans to pay for those services.

Gambling opponents say the casino will hurt everyone except the owners.

Larry Wright Jr., a Ponca Tribe Chairman, said, “Education, social services, healthcare, all the things that we can expand with the proceeds from this, so it’s bigger than just the casino itself and what we do with those proceeds.”

Although the doors to the casino are open, it’s future is uncertain. There is currently a pending federal lawsuit looking to reverse the National Indian’s Gaming Commission. 

The lawsuit claims the casino was built under false pretenses. The Ponca tribe attorney says the tribe is confident the court will rule in their favor.