Nebraska Pushes Online Sports Betting to 2026 Ballot Initiative
Supporters of online sports betting in Nebraska are preparing a petition drive aimed at placing the issue before voters in the 2026 general election. The move follows years of stalled progress in the state legislature, where repeated attempts to pass legalization have been derailed by filibusters.
Under the plan, backers seek to amend the state constitution to allow licensed racetracks to offer mobile betting platforms. To qualify for the ballot, campaign organizers must collect signatures from 10% of Nebraska’s registered voters—approximately 125,000 valid names. Collection efforts are expected to begin in the coming weeks.
Industry stakeholders, including WarHorse Gaming and the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, have aligned behind the initiative. Lynne McNally of WarHorse Casinos, which operates properties in Omaha and Lincoln, stressed the financial stakes: “The bottom line is, you’re allowing tax money to go to Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, just like with the casinos. People are using VPNs, and they’re disguising their location, pretending they’re in Iowa,” she said.
Supporters project that legalizing mobile sports betting could bring in up to $32 million annually in tax revenue, a sum they argue could provide meaningful support for state programs such as property tax relief.
Legislative Gridlock and Filibuster Setbacks
Earlier in 2025, Senator Eliot Bostar introduced LR20CA, a resolution seeking a constitutional amendment to authorize mobile sports wagering. The measure advanced through the Senate General Affairs Committee on a 6–2 vote in March and later secured initial floor approval by a 27–16 majority.
Despite this early progress, Nebraska’s unicameral legislature requires three separate rounds of voting with a two-thirds majority for constitutional amendments to advance. Opponents launched a filibuster that blocked the second round of debate, effectively halting the resolution.
Bostar warned that leaving the matter unresolved would push the industry toward a petition campaign, reducing lawmakers’ ability to shape the regulatory framework. “The landscape is changing. If residents want to bet legally and safely here in Nebraska, we need to give them that option,” he said. Senator John Cavanaugh, while cautious about expansion, agreed that the legislature should retain control rather than leaving regulation entirely to voters.
With the Senate deadlocked, advocates have turned decisively toward the citizen-led referendum process.
Critics Warn of Social Impact
Opposition voices in Nebraska continue to raise concerns about the risks of expanded gambling. Critics argue that mobile betting could exacerbate problem gambling, particularly among younger men, by making wagers accessible at any time via smartphone.
Former Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne has long been a prominent critic, warning that the convenience of online betting may trigger mental health struggles, financial instability, and family disruption. Others remain skeptical about whether projected revenues would deliver the level of property tax relief promised by supporters.
Governor Jim Pillen has not directly commented on the petition initiative but has generally taken a cautious stance on gambling expansion.
National Context and Potential Timeline
Nebraska’s petition drive mirrors efforts in other states where legislative inaction has led to ballot campaigns. Missouri sports franchises successfully pursued a similar route in 2024, while Georgia advocates are preparing their own push for the 2026 election.
Neighboring states provide examples that campaigners cite as evidence of potential success. North Carolina generated $116 million in tax revenue in its first year of online betting, while Tennessee, which runs an online-only model, reported $97 million last year.
Currently, Nebraska permits only in-person sports betting at licensed casinos, taxed at 20%. If the petition succeeds and voters approve the amendment, mobile wagering could debut in the state as early as 2027, marking the first time Nebraskans would be able to legally place bets from their phones.
Source: Nebraska petition campaign aims to legalize online sports betting, Real Money Action, September 23, 2025