There are three things that seem to be connected in this state: horse racing, alcohol and politics.  It is funny to know that these three things have been connected since 1934.

“In the 1934 election, Nebraskans voted on two measures with funny-sounding names: a unicameral legislature and pari-mutuel betting. Both measures passed. It has long been rumored that gambling backers worried that voters might be confused by the two strange words. And since a measure to repeal statewide prohibition was also on the ballot, they told people just to vote yes on everything. Thus, Nebraska got a one-house legislature because the people wanted booze and horse racing.”

( http://blog.nebraskahistory.org/?p=3737#more-3737)

Whatever its beginnings, pari-mutuel horse racing in Nebraska began in 1935 in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Originally owned and operated by the Nebraska State Fair, Nebraska State Fair Park’s (NSFP) first Grandstand had a cost of $209,000 (that would equal about $4.8 million dollars today).