City Directory — Nebraska
Casinos Near Niobrara, Nebraska
1 verified casino near Niobrara. Browse the directory, check addresses, and compare players club options before you visit.
1 verified casino near Niobrara. Browse the directory, check addresses, and compare players club options before you visit.
1 verified casino location within driving distance of Niobrara.
New players can enroll in Ohiya's own players club to earn points redeemable for free play, dining credits, and hotel discounts. Sign up at the players club desk before your first session — points are not retroactive.
Ohiya Casino & Resort is a tribal resort owned and operated by the Santee Sioux Nation, located on scenic Highway 12 a few minutes east of Niobrara in northeastern Nebraska. Recognized as Nebraska's first casino, it holds both Class II and Class III gaming authorizations. The mid-scale gaming floor features approximately 400 electronic gaming machines including video slots and video poker, plus bingo. The attached 45-room hotel, indoor pool, steakhouse, seafood buffet, and lounge bar make it a genuine full-service resort. A dedicated events venue hosts live music on a rotating schedule. The remote setting amid river bluffs and proximity to Niobrara State Park give the property a distinctive regional character.
Niobrara sits at the confluence of the Niobrara and Missouri rivers in northeastern Nebraska’s Knox County, a remote stretch of the Great Plains where rolling bluffs drop toward wide river valleys and the landscape remains largely unchanged for miles in any direction. It is also home to Ohiya Casino & Resort, operated by the Santee Sioux Nation — a property with a genuine claim to history as Nebraska’s first casino. For visitors traveling through the Missouri River region or staying in the area for outdoor recreation, Ohiya is the dominant casino destination in this part of the state.
While the 2020 voter referendum opened the door to commercial casino gaming at Nebraska’s licensed racetracks, tribal gaming in the state predates that expansion by decades. Ohiya Casino & Resort has been operating for more than 25 years under federal gaming compacts between the Santee Sioux Nation and the United States government. Tribal gaming in Nebraska is regulated by the National Indian Gaming Commission rather than the state’s Racing and Gaming Commission. Ohiya operates under Class II and Class III gaming authorizations, which allow electronic gaming machines and table-style games alongside traditional bingo.
Other tribal gaming options in Nebraska include the Iron Horse Bar & Casino in Emerson (Winnebago Tribe), Native Star Casino in Winnebago (Winnebago Tribe), Lucky 77 Casino in Walthill (Omaha Tribe), and Prairie Flower Casino in Carter Lake, Iowa (Ponca Tribe of Nebraska). Of these, Ohiya Casino & Resort is the largest full-service resort offering lodging and dining on site.
Ohiya Casino & Resort operates its own players club program. Guests can sign up at the casino’s player services desk to earn points on gaming activity. Points can be redeemed for free play, dining credits, and hotel discounts. Because Ohiya operates independently from the commercial WarHorse network, points do not transfer between Ohiya and the Omaha or Lincoln properties. For frequent visitors to the Niobrara area, enrolling in Ohiya’s club provides a straightforward path to complimentary amenities over time.
Ohiya Casino & Resort is located at 53142 Hwy 12, Niobrara, NE 68760, a few minutes east of the town of Niobrara. The most direct route from Sioux Falls, South Dakota (approximately 100 miles north) is via US-81 South and NE-12 West. From Norfolk, Nebraska (approximately 70 miles west), take US-81 North to NE-12 East. From Omaha (approximately 150 miles southwest), take US-275 West to Norfolk and continue north to NE-12. The property offers free surface parking adjacent to the main entrance. The rural setting means there is no public transit option; a personal vehicle or rental car is required.
Niobrara is a small community of fewer than 400 residents, so visitors should plan accordingly. The town offers limited services including a gas station, a small grocery, and basic essentials. The casino itself is largely self-sufficient for dining and lodging. The surrounding area, however, offers exceptional outdoor recreation. Niobrara State Park, located at the confluence of the Niobrara and Missouri rivers, provides camping, hiking, and river access. Lewis and Clark Lake — a reservoir on the Missouri River — is popular for fishing, boating, and water recreation in the warmer months. The Niobrara National Scenic River, one of the premier canoe and kayak rivers in the Great Plains, is accessible from several points near the town. For visitors combining a gaming stay with outdoor recreation, the Niobrara area offers an unusual combination that is hard to find anywhere else in Nebraska.
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Most casino properties near Niobrara offer a free loyalty club. Sign up at the players club desk before you play — points are not retroactive. Benefits typically include free-play credits, dining discounts, and hotel rates at casino resort properties.
The minimum gambling age in Nebraska is 21 at most properties. Set a budget before you arrive and stick to it. If you experience problems with gambling, call 1-800-270-7117 — free, confidential, 24/7.