Grand Island Casino Resort celebrates grand opening

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - Thursday marked a historic day in the city of Grand Island as the Grand Island Casino Resort celebrated its grand opening.

Elite Casino Resorts, in partnership with Fonner Park, is opening the permanent facility that’s been in the works for a couple years now.

The $185 million destination resort is a seven-story property featuring a combination of gaming, hospitality, dining, and entertainment.

Highlights include:

A full-service casino with 750 slot machines, 20 table games, and Nebraska’s first live poker room

• A 162-room hotel, including luxury suites
• Multiple dining options, including a signature Ruthie’s Steak & Seafood restaurant
• A show lounge spotlighting local and regional entertainers
• An expansive banquet facility accommodating up to 200 guests
• A scenic outdoor entertainment space overlooking the Fonner Park horse track
• A full-service Spa featuring indoor and outdoor pools located on the second level

Vince Fiala, general manager of Grand Island Casino Resort, said today is an exciting day for central Nebraska.

“Today we celebrate the grand opening of Grand Island Casino Resort,” said Fiala.

Chris Kotulak, CEO of Fonner Park, expressed the casino is not just a joint with a bunch a slot machines, but a resort-hotel destination.

“This will be a place to come to really more than just have a bet,” said Kotulak. “There will be more reasons for people to come and enjoys themselves, have a good experience and comeback.“

Casey Ricketts, executive director of Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission shared how the casino resort will benefit horse racing in Nebraska.

“The theme has been without horse racing, we would not have casinos,” said Ricketts. “I do believe you guys are a huge part in some of that increase, so we do thank you.“

Chris Stinson, commissioner of Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission added there’s no secret for anybody who’s been following the sport of horse-racing, the sport has been on the decline in the state.

“For a while it felt like it’s been a irreversible decline, a lot of these horseman and horsewomen don’t do it for the money,” said Stinson. “They’re not making any money up until recently, so they do it for the love sport. I’m really happy we have casinos now.“

Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele emphasized the resort will provide permanent jobs across operations, with an estimated annual payroll of $13.6 million annually.

“The Grand Island Casino Resorts represents more than just a new attraction,” said Steele. “It symbolizes our new growth and vitality with more than four-hundred new jobs being created.“

Dan Kehl, CEO of Elite Casino Resorts, expressed how the resort is a unique representation of his family, which Ruthie’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant is named after his mother.

“I called my mother up, ‘Ruth’ and I told her congratulations, 34 years ago you and dad started the first riverboat casino in the United States of America,” said Kehl. “It was 34 years and here we are 34 years later opening new casino resort in Central Nebraska.“

Since construction began, the project has contributed significantly to the local economy, employing 877 construction workers from 77 different contractors and vendors.

WATCH: Groundbreaking in November 2023

The new resort builds upon the success of the temporary casino, which opened two years ago and has already generated $2.5 million for Fonner Park racing purses and $700,000 for the Nebraska Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

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