Husker football game against Minnesota is first you can legally bet on in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Huskers’ first game of the season is Thursday, and the Lincoln Warhorse Casino says people were making bets all day.

In June, the casino opened Nebraska’s first sports betting operation.

Officials say ever since then, excitement has been building for football season.

“Today there’s a little bit of a buzz here ’cause it’s the first Husker game to take bets on,” spokesman Pete Graziano said. “It’s something that our residents here in Nebraska want to the option to do, and we’re providing that service.”

He said since the Huskers are playing an away game, the casino can legally take bets.

The state prohibits bets on collegiate games played within the state.

Graziano said he’s glad people don’t have to drive all the way to Iowa to make bets on Husker games.

“We want to keep the money in Nebraska, and that’s what legalizing the casinos was for,” he said. “So we’re happy to provide that entertainment option here and save people the hourlong drive.”

Husker fans who placed their bets Thursday agree.

Bil Helgoth, who bet on the Huskers beating Minnesota, said this was his first time making a bet within the state.

“If they’re going to do it, they might as well do it here in the state and make the money in Nebraska,” he said.

The casino is expanding its building, which will allow for a larger betting area.

Graziano said WarHorse is also planning to open sports betting at its Omaha location within the next few months.