Grand Island Casino Resort Betting on Trump Bump With President’s Visit

Nebraska’s Grand Island Casino Resort is planning to show off the $185 million venue at Fonner Park when President Donald Trump comes to town on Monday (Oct. 5). Donald Trump campaigns for his second presidential term in Las Vegas on January 27, 2024. Trump is traveling to Nebraska’s Grand Island, and casino officials at Grand Island Casino Resort hope that pays off with new visitors experiencing the resort. (Image: Maxim Elramsisy/Shutterstock.com) Elite Casino Resorts, through a partnership with the Hall County Livestock Improvement Association, opened the Grand Island Casino Resort in April 2025. Trump is set to speak at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center on Oct. 5. The venue, which is owned by Fonner Park, is directly across from the Grand Island Casino Resort. We are planning on having a large crowd on Monday night or maybe even Monday afternoon,” Grand Island Casino Resort General Manager Vince Fiala told KSNB. “It’s great anytime somebody comes on campus, and especially the president, to see what Grand Island has to offer and what Nebraska has to offer. We’re just very glad to have him here and have people come from all over the state and maybe even other states to see us.” The 37,000-square-foot casino offers approximately 750 slot machines, 20 table games, a poker room, and a sportsbook. The destination also includes a 162-room hotel with indoor and outdoor pools, three restaurants and bars, and a spa and fitness center. Could Trump Stump Provide Business Bump? Grand Island Casino Resort ranks third among Nebraska’s five racetrack casinos in terms of gross gaming revenue (GGR). Through August, Grand Island won a little more than $44 million from slots, tables, and sports betting. WarHorse Casino Omaha led the market with GGR of $80.5 million, and WarHorse Casino Lincoln was second at $63.5 million. Fiala hopes Trump’s visit will bring the casino in front of many new faces. We have three different restaurants. We have a full gaming facility, hotel, and spa. I can tell you that our room numbers have doubled since the announcement was made. So, I’m anticipating we should be a full house … with people coming in from different areas of the state.” Trump’s stop in Grand Island will be the first visit from a sitting US president since George W. Bush stopped in 2006. Talking Points Trump is visiting Nebraska ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The president is set to deliver remarks around 6 pm CST, with doors to the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center set to open at 1:30 pm CST. Trump is expected to stump for Republicans retaining control of Congress and stress the importance of Nebraskans voting for Republican Brinker Harding in the 2nd District. Harding is the GOP candidate who is trying to keep the 2nd District seat long held by US Rep. Don Bacon (R) in the party’s control. Bacon is not seeking a sixth term, saying he wants to spend more time with his grandchildren. Harding is polling behind Democratic nominee Denise Powell, a mom and small business owner. The post Grand Island Casino Resort Betting on Trump Bump With President’s Visit appeared first on Casino.org.