(Radio Iowa) Iowa casinos on the western side of the state now facing some competition from Nebraska, as the Warhorse Casino in Lincoln is now operating after approval from state regulators. Nebraska’s first casino is run by Ho-Chunk Incorporated, the economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. C-E-O Lance Morgan says they are going to stop some of the money moving out of Nebraska into Iowa.

They started with slot machines in a building in Lincoln and will build that up and also plan to build a casino in Omaha and eventually South Sioux City. Morgan says he has no qualms about challenging Iowa for the gamblers — and knows it will be a competition.

He says they are starting with the Lincoln and Omaha facilities because they are in an area with one-point-three million people.

The temporary Warhorse Casino in Lincoln began operating Saturday.