Nebraska could place online sports betting on November ballot

Supporters of online sports betting in Nebraska submitted about 350,000 signatures across two initiative petitions, moving the measures to county-level verification before the Secretary of State decides whether they qualify for the November ballot.

The petitions were filed by a group called Tax Relief Nebraska. One petition seeks a constitutional amendment to authorize mobile sports betting; the other would create a statute setting out how mobile wagering would be regulated and taxed. The campaign submitted more than 201,000 signatures for the amendment and roughly 146,000 for the statutory measure. The amendment required about 126,000 valid signatures and the statute about 88,000.

If verified and certified for the ballot, the amendment would allow online sports betting statewide. The companion statute would establish licensing, platform rules and tax collection for mobile wagering. Nebraska currently permits sports betting only in person at licensed racetrack casinos.

Under the proposal, each authorized gaming operator could partner with up to two online sportsbook platforms. There are five licensed retail sportsbook operators in Nebraska, which would allow as many as 10 online platforms under the initiative. All mobile bets would be routed through servers located in Nebraska.

The initiative directs the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission to adopt implementing regulations by June 1, 2027. If voters approve the measures, the law would take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

The statutory measure would allocate 70% of online sports betting tax revenue to property tax relief, matching the allocation applied to existing casino tax receipts. Supporters say legalizing mobile wagering would help retain wagering activity and tax revenue that now flows to neighboring states. Five of Nebraska’s six bordering states-Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Wyoming— already allow online sports betting.

The campaign is backed by WarHorse Casinos and the Sports Betting Alliance, whose members include FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Fanatics and bet365. WarHorse has indicated plans to partner with DraftKings and FanDuel if the measures pass. Lynne McNally, WarHorse’s director of government relations, noted that the petition effort “encountered little resistance once petition circulators could distinguish their proposal from the numerous other initiatives seeking signatures,” and said the campaign is awaiting the verification process before the measures can be certified.

Opponents argue statewide mobile wagering would increase problem gambling and that the additional tax revenue would not offset social costs. State lawmakers considered two carryover bills this year to expand online sports betting but neither advanced, prompting supporters to pursue a ballot initiative route similar to a recent campaign in a neighboring state.

Next steps include county-by-county signature verification. After that process, Secretary of State Robert Evnen will review the certified totals and determine whether the measures appear on the November ballot. If certified and approved by voters, Nebraska would move from in-person-only sports betting at racetrack casinos to a regulated online market beginning in 2027.