The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission has approved the first step in a process that could allow a Hastings-based company to transfer its racetrack license to western Nebraska.

[Earlier this month,] Commissioners voted to approve a 12-week, $48,000 market study with The Innovation Group. That study could set up final approval later this year of a racetrack in Ogallala after Hastings Exposition & Racing Inc. announced plans this summer to transfer its racing license. 

State law allows Hastings a one-time move of its license because the community was one of six “original” racetrack locations. The law stipulates the move must be to a Nebraska county that does not have a racetrack, in this case, from Adams County to Keith County.

Brian Jorde, a representative for the Hastings company, said a study is required to see whether the move could have any detrimental effects, such as concentrated or “undue” competition.

“We don’t believe there’s any reasonable argument that it can, in any way, be detrimental by moving that far away into a brand new market and giving the folks in western Nebraska — who often get passed over — an opportunity to be a part of something so exciting,” Jorde told the commission.

Read the full article by Zach Wendling for the “Nebraska Examiner" here.

The Innovation Group (TIG) is pleased to announce the addition of Carly Albright as a senior analyst in the firm’s Las Vegas office. Albright joins TIG after working in game design for both Aristocrat and IGT. Her extensive knowledge of slot machines and the gaming industry, along with her mathematical and analytics skills will allow her to support TIG in conducting research, building models and assembling accurate reports for clients across a variety of sectors. Connect with Carly on LinkedIn and look for her with our team at G2E.

The Innovation Group is preparing for another exciting G2E. Nominations have closed for our annual Emerging Leaders of Gaming (ELG) 40 Under 40, in partnership with Global Gaming Business magazine, and we expect to announce those honorees in the coming weeks. We also have finalized plans with the show to again host our celebration for the ELG 40 Under 40 in the G2E Networking Lounge on Wednesday, October 11 from 4 – 5 PM. See the details and add it to your show planner or calendar here. On Tuesday afternoon from 3:10 – 4 PM, TIG President Michael Soll will return to the G2E Education stage to update his annual session, Looking at the Crystal Ball: The Future Gaming Landscape. Panelists are still being finalized, but attendees can expect a compelling lineup of gaming leaders discussing the trends and transactions happening today that will shape the gaming industry of tomorrow. More on G2E to come, but if you’d like to set up a meeting with our team now, please contact a partner through the links below.