Last year, Gov. Pete Ricketts signed into law Nebraska’s first casino-gambling law. Shortly after, Harrah’s Casinos expressed interest in putting a casino in Columbus. Now, they’ve found a temporary home.

As of last week, the Platte County Ag Society and Caesars Entertainment have entered a lease agreement for temporary usage of the downstairs exhibit hall space at Ag Park until the permanent casino is constructed in approximately 15 months.

According to Caesars Entertainment Regional President Todd Connelly, this will be the only space the temporary casino will occupy, with minor renovations required to fit their needs.

“All the rest of it we won’t have access to. The front or upstairs, that’s not ours. In the exhibit hall, we’ll build the casino in there with offices and counting rooms,” Connelly said.