The Nebraska Legislature has directed the Nebraska State Racing and Gaming Commission to conduct economic and social impact studies to determine eligible sites for new racetracks, which must be completed no later than January 1, 2025. The Ogallala City Council and Keith County Board of Commissioners provided exclusive support for this project. Should the Nebraska State Racing and Gaming Commission elect to award an additional racetrack to Ogallala, the facility would include:
The proposed plans for Ogallala Resort and Casino draws upon the significance of the town and its history. Before Ogallala was a town, it was an intersection of trails, rails and rivers. One of the most important aspects of the area is that one of the world's largest aquifers lies beneath these lands. This aquifer covers much of the Midwest including Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. This aquifer sustains much of the Midwest's crops through irrigation and provides drinking water to a majority of the population that reside within its boundaries. Just like the aquifer is an oasis to the Midwest, the resort and casino aims to be an oasis to the people in the region and beyond. This oasis will sustain life through enjoyment, entertainment, and culture while providing a place for both families, friends and individuals a place for respite, thrills, nourishment and a cozy night stay. The design of the casino pulls upon the fluid nature of water while the hotel harkens back to the vernacular of the old pioneer town through the use of materials and roof forms. The resort and casino will pay homage to the land, its people and its history making this a building that all people of the region will be proud of and can find a piece of them in its design.