“A lot of people are addicted to gambling and it could be really bad for a lot of families,” he said. He said he worries that gambling addiction could develop into a new problem for the city.

They can recognize and identify issues of concern if there become issues of concern.”īut the casino itself is an issue of concern for John Price, a maintenance worker at Fonner Park. They know what their capacity is, and they have done this before, so the old saying this isn’t their first rodeo. “They know what’s important to a community of our size.

“They know what they’re doing,” she said. Johnson said casino resort property owner, Elite Casino Resorts Properties, wants the same thing that the chamber and the city want - entertainment for residents. The casino “does add another unique element to Central Nebraska,” she said. “I have no doubt the hospitality industry will benefit greatly from having the casino,” she said, adding that she expects the city to see additional bookings of trades shows, conventions and meetings. “I think it’s going to be real good.”Ĭindy Johnson, president of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, agrees with that assessment. “I think a lot more restaurants, stores, public places, mom and pop shops are going to get a lot more business,” Rivera said. Rivera said he thinks the casino resort will attract attention to Grand Island and help other local businesses. Especially with the restaurant being right behind it. I think it’s going to bring in good traffic to the business. “I haven’t made a decision of how I truly feel about it. “I’m not for it, but I’m also not against it,” he said. When it opens in 2025 at Fonner Park, the casino resort will have 20 live tables, which include blackjack, craps and roulette, 650 slot machines, 116 hotel rooms and three restaurants - a sports bar, a family dining eatery and a rooftop restaurant called “Ruthie’s Steak and Seafood.”īut residents have mixed feelings about the resort, the first casino resort to be built in rural Nebraska.Īdam Rivera, a bar supervisor at Tommy Gunz Bistro, a restaurant directly behind Fonner Park off of South Locust street, said he is neutral about the casino, although he believes it will be good for business. Grand Island may be best known as the home of the Nebraska State Fair, but someday soon, the Grand Island Casino Resort may get more attention.

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