Voters Submit Petitions to Legalize Online Nebraska Sports Betting

Sports betting in Nebraska has been available in person since 2023. If a group of citizens has their way, online Nebraska sports betting might become available next year.

Tax Relief Nebraska has submitted 201,000 signatures, well over the requirement of 127,054. That’s a common tactic for ballot initiatives, especially constitutional amendments. Enough signatures must be determined valid to qualify the initiative for the November ballot, and it must be confirmed that the signatures meet Nebraska requirements.

In Nebraska, that means at least 10% of the number of registered voters at the time of the deadline. The deadline was July 3, setting the bar at roughly 3,500 signatures higher than in 2024. Additionally, at least 10% of registered voters in 38 of Nebraska’s 93 counties must have given a valid signature.

A constitutional amendment holds the highest threshold to reach the ballot in Nebraska. A second initiative, tied to this one, would require 70% of online Nebraska sports betting revenues to fund property tax credits. That would be a statute, which only requires signatures from 7% of Nebraska voters. Both would appear on the ballot, but the statute would be redundant without the amendment.

Why Is Nebraska Considering a Voter-Led Constitutional Amendment?

Nebraska’s constitution must be amended to allow online sports betting in the state. There are two ways to do that in Nebraska, and pro-online Nebraska sports betting interests have tried both.

The simpler way was attempted in April, when Sen. Stanley Clouse (R-Kearney) introduced a bill to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November. That would have required three-fifths of Nebraska’s unicameral legislature to vote yes, which would have placed the amendment on the ballot.

However, Sen. Brad von Gillern (R-Elkhorn) successfully suspended the bill indefinitely. That forced advocates to go the signature route, beyond the reach of the legislature.

How Close Has Online Nebraska Sports Betting Come Before?

It hasn’t gotten through the legislature. Two previous attempts stalled out, and advocates opted to change tactics when the legislative session ended.

Nebraska has had legal sports betting since 2023, when casinos were first legalized in the state. However, only five exist in the state, which locks rural Nebraskans out of betting. It also makes it easier for some locations to travel to neighboring states that do allow online sports betting.

An example is Sarpy County, a suburb of Omaha and Nebraska’s fastest growing county. Although Omaha does have a casino, parts of Bellevue are closer to Iowa, which allows online sports betting and costs Nebraska potential revenue.

What Would the Amendment Mean for Online Nebraska Sports Betting?

If passed, the amendment would legalize online sports betting in the Cornhusker State for anyone 21 and over. It would allow for up to two sportsbook partners for each casino, for a maximum of 10 online sportsbooks in the state.

According to Lynne McNally, public spokesperson for WarHorse Casino, that’s likely to happen sooner rather than later. McNally said that WarHorse Casino is already in discussions with FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM. WarHorse has locations in Omaha and Lincoln, giving it a possibility for four partners.

If the signatures are deemed valid, the initiatives would go on the ballot on Nov. 3. It usually takes six months from approval for an online sportsbook to launch, setting a potential timeline of May 2027.