With the first stages of construction of a neighboring casino serving as a backdrop, the first of five days of racing at Atokad Downs in South Sioux City took place under breezy, overcast skies Saturday afternoon.
While attendance figures are pending, it was a festive and busy atmosphere at the 5/8-mile racetrack as Saturday's four-race card took place. Gambling windows were busy, but moving quickly as wagers were made prior to each of the day's races.
Saturday's races were held two days after Ho-Chunk, Inc. formally broke ground on what will eventually be the $100 million construction of its third casino, WarHorse South Sioux City, which is scheduled to open in late 2027 or early 2028.
The new facility is the last of six casinos that have been built since Nebraska voters approved casino gaming in 2020. Ho-Chunk owns two of the facilities, opening the Lincoln WarHorse in 2022 and its Omaha WarHorse facility two years later. Other casinos -- all of which have race tracks, per state requirement -- are already in operation in Columbus, Grand Island and Ogallala.
