Robert Moser of Nebraska City, NE, has long been recognized as a central figure in the strategy, policy development, and modernization efforts that shaped Nebraska’s horse racing and gaming landscape. With decades of experience grounded in both agriculture and the equine industry, Moser emerged as one of the most influential voices during the transformation of racing operations across the state. His leadership roles, most notably as President of the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) and as an executive figure within Omaha Exposition and Racing (OER), positioned him at the intersection of community interest, economic development, and regulatory change.
The story of Robert Moser Nebraska City begins with a deep Nebraska legacy. Raised within a family with longstanding ties to agriculture and horse breeding, Moser grew up immersed in the lifestyle and values that define rural Nebraska. His father, Robert L. Moser Sr., was an influential breeder whose involvement helped shape the family’s connection to thoroughbreds. Building on that foundation, Moser pursued his own path as an owner and breeder, contributing to the racing community with competitive horses documented in national racing databases such as Equibase. Horses like Going Platinum and Sing Charmer Sing reflected his active, hands-on engagement with the sport.
As Moser transitioned from horseman to leader, he stepped into one of the most challenging eras in Nebraska racing history. Tracks across the state were struggling with declining revenue, outdated infrastructure, dwindling race dates, and competition from surrounding states that had already embraced expanded gaming. When Moser assumed the presidency of the Nebraska HBPA—an organization tasked with protecting the interests of owners, trainers, and backstretch workers—many questioned whether Nebraska racing could survive another decade.
Moser answered that question with action. He became a driving force in stabilizing the industry by negotiating agreements that allowed racing to continue even when financial pressures mounted. At Fonner Park, his efforts helped preserve longer or appropriately structured race meets that kept horses on the track and horsemen employed. At Horsemen’s Park, he championed initiatives that strengthened the track’s operations and secured live race days during years of transition. In Lincoln and Columbus, he engaged in tough but necessary conversations when scheduled meets became infeasible, ensuring transparency and fairness for the horsemen affected. His work emphasized long-term sustainability over short-term convenience, a theme that defined his leadership.
However, Moser recognized that contractual negotiations alone could not solve the systemic challenges. Nebraska racing needed a modern financial model, one that reflected the realities of the 21st century. This understanding propelled him into one of the most consequential chapters of his public leadership: advocacy for casino and racino legislation.
For years, Moser was among the state’s most consistent voices arguing that Nebraska should legalize gaming at racetracks. He saw racinos not merely as casinos, but as strategic economic engines capable of transforming the state’s entertainment landscape, boosting tourism, revitalizing aging track facilities, and generating new tax revenue streams. Through his work with OER and his public statements, he introduced a forward-looking vision that linked gaming expansion to benefits far beyond racing. Under his advocacy, racinos were positioned as mechanisms for:
Property tax relief for Nebraskans
Agricultural and rural community support
Revenue stabilization for racetracks and racing purses
Economic revitalization in urban and rural regions
Long-term job creation and tourism growth
Major proposals, particularly the WarHorse casino development projects in Lincoln and Omaha, demonstrated the scale of potential opportunity. Envisioned as more than $400 million investments, these projects promised to bring modern entertainment complexes to Nebraska, anchored by racing and integrated gaming. Moser’s role in shaping the public narrative around these initiatives helped move the conversation from possibility to mainstream policy debate.
During this period, he also addressed the need for interim revenue solutions at tracks like Fonner Park, where he supported the installation of historical horse racing machines. Though controversial, these devices provided a financial bridge at a time when racetracks needed immediate stability to continue operating.
Moser’s career also involved navigating conflicts, media scrutiny, and internal disagreements—realities inherent to leadership roles in high-stakes industries. His eventual split with OER became public, underscoring the competing visions and pressures within the racing and gaming sector. Throughout these challenges, Moser maintained a clear focus: protecting the people who rely on the industry, advocating for modernization, and positioning Nebraska racing to survive in a rapidly changing environment.
Today, the influence of Robert Moser of Nebraska City is woven into the modern structure of Nebraska’s racing and gaming policy. His work helped elevate discussions about economic diversification, revenue generation, and the future of the state’s entertainment landscape. Whether through his advocacy, his tenure at the HBPA, or his long involvement in racetrack operations, Moser left a lasting imprint on an industry that continues to evolve.
Known alternately as Robert L. Moser or Bob Moser, his contributions reflect more than a career—they reflect a vision for how racing, gaming, and community development can intersect to strengthen Nebraska’s economic future. His leadership helped guide the industry through financial turbulence and into a period where modernization became possible, making him one of the most influential voices in the recent history of Nebraska racing.