LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A consultant for the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is warning that the state's gaming industry relies heavily on Nebraska gamblers for revenue and would lose a lot of business if its western neighbor decided to allow casinos.
Iowa has 18 state-licensed casinos scattered throughout the state, but nearly one-fourth of the industry's revenue comes from Nebraskans, who mostly visit casinos across the Missouri River.
The consultant's report says Nebraskans generated nearly $327 million in gross revenue for Iowa casinos last year. Total gross revenue for the casinos was $1.4 billion, of which 53 percent came from Iowa gamblers.
Casino supporters in Nebraska say it's unlikely the state will allow casinos soon, but the Iowa report by Union Gaming Analytics predicts it will happen eventually.
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