Officials in Nebraska are currently evaluating petitions that could potentially introduce online sports betting to voters during the upcoming 2026 general election. This follows the submission of approximately 350,000 signatures by Tax Relief Nebraska for two related ballot proposals.
The campaign has submitted over 201,000 signatures for a constitutional amendment and an additional 146,000 for a statutory measure. The number of signatures for the amendment exceeds the required 127,054, but these petitions must still undergo validation before they can be included on the ballot for November 3.
Currently, Nebraska allows sports betting only at licensed racetrack casinos, with retail betting having been legalized in 2023 following the passage of LB 561 in 2021. However, online betting remains banned due to constitutional restrictions.
The proposed constitutional amendment aims to permit licensed gaming operators, or their designated platform providers, to offer online sports betting under the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act. If this amendment is approved, online betting would be accessible to individuals aged 21 and older, with each casino allowed to partner with up to two sportsbooks, potentially resulting in a total of 10 online sportsbooks operating across the state.
To qualify for the ballot, constitutional amendment petitions must gather valid signatures from at least 10% of registered voters by the July 3 deadline. Additionally, the campaign must fulfill a geographical requirement, obtaining valid signatures from at least 10% of registered voters in 38 out of Nebraska's 93 counties. The related statutory proposal requires signatures from 7% of voters.
The statutory measure would allocate 70% of online sports betting revenue to property tax credits, following a similar model used for casino taxes. However, this statute would only take effect if voters also approve the constitutional amendment.
Proponents of the initiatives argue that Nebraska is missing out on significant revenue that neighboring states, which allow online or mobile betting such as Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, and Missouri, are capitalizing on. They also highlight that the current retail-only market restricts access for rural residents, as Nebraska has only five casinos.
WarHorse Casinos has expressed intentions to collaborate with DraftKings and FanDuel if the measures receive voter approval. Lynne McNally, WarHorse's Head of Government Relations, mentioned that discussions are also ongoing with BetMGM.
“We’re hopeful that if our initiatives are on the ballot in November, we can expect legalized mobile sports betting to follow,” McNally stated.
According to the American Gaming Association, Nebraska's in-person sports betting market generated approximately $9.3 million in 2025. Supporters believe that mobile betting could yield over $30 million annually in gaming tax revenue.
However, opponents caution that online betting could elevate the risk of gambling addiction and question whether the additional tax revenue would sufficiently cover social costs. Advocates for responsible gambling have raised concerns regarding app accessibility, advertising, and in-game micro-bets, particularly among younger adults.
This discussion follows the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission's introduction of a statewide self-exclusion program withidPair in December, which aims to enhance voluntary exclusion options across regulated venues.