Nebraska Misses Mark for Legalizing Online Sports Gambling

With the new National Football League season now looming, Nebraska had a close call with the chance of introducing interactive wagering, which would have allowed residents of the state to place a wager through dedicated apps and their mobile devices without the obligation to visit one of the four sportsbooks available in person.

Nebraska Misses Out on Online Betting Yet Again

However, the bill came to a halt on Tuesday, failing to muster sufficient support and get a chance to be signed by Gov. Jim Pillen who showed indications that he would be willing to endorse the legislation and pass it through. Pillen has signalled his readiness to work with pro-gambling advocates in the next legislative session, specifically, those lawmakers pushing for an online betting bill.

What the present outcome means, however, is that Nebraska would not have a chance to discuss the matter until the next legislative session which is due in January, and which will ultimately see Nebraska sports fans resort to land-based venues if they wish to bet on the Super Bowl.

Nebraska has faced political rivalries and divisions over the issue. For example, 13 senators last week called any attempt to advance online betting a “poison pill” that would lead to serious social ills.

Opposition to online sports betting is not new, and even though there are dozens of states to have successfully rolled this form of gambling, some legislators remain skeptical.

They are partially justified as the numbers of problem gamblers are indeed rising, mostly because of the proliferation of regulated gambling options, but not least – because of the status quo involving offshore operators as well.

Nebraska though stands to benefit greatly from the potential legislation of online sports betting, as there may be as much as $32 million in unrealized economic opportunity for the state, one legislator estimates.

Attempts to Be Revived in Upcoming Legislative Session

Any effort to bring online betting online would take until 2026 at the very least, Sen. Eliot Bostar, who sponsored LR 3CA and LB13, during the most recent session to put the matter of online betting legalization on the November ballot in 2024 to no avail.

Bostar similarly estimates that because online sports betting is unlikely to come online in Nebraska until 2026, the state stands to lose $100 million in unrealized tax revenue. In the meantime, the state offers four brick-and-mortar locations where players may continue to wager.