Nebraska Pushes Mobile Sports Betting Vote for 2026 Ballot

As we previously reported in September 2025, Nebraska-based casino operators and lobbyists are determined to shift the focus from statehouse representatives to the voters. 

Their plan is to start a petition drive that would include mobile sports betting on the 2026 ballot. 

They Need Signatures from 5% of Previous Voters 

In a First Alert 6 interview, a group of Omaha casino owners explained that they should have no problem gathering the required number of signatures to send the measure on the ballot. 

Namely, as argued by Warhorse Casino chief executive officer Lance Morgan, they need “signatures from 5% of the people who voted in the last election”. He went on to say that, for 100 previous voters, they would need to now obtain five signatures from 38 counties. 

The CEO went on to say that organizers are set to gather 300,000 signatures, a number well above the actual needed threshold.

At the moment, they have two separate petitions underway. One of them is focused on bringing an amendment to the Constitution, and the second one is a statutory petition.

Morgan expressed confidence in the bill’s ability to pass: “Our polling shows it’s somewhere around 70% approval rating. And that’s before sports betting really took off here.”

The CEO also made sure to acknowledge opposition from “the anti-gambling group”, going on to say that “they have a good point” in terms of not wanting “people to abuse it”.

Disturbing numbers presented in a report speak about half of online gambling revenue originating from addicted gamblers, a problem that has sparked heated debate and opposition in the committee. 

“Significant Tax Generator for the State”

Lawmakers in Nebraska are looking for ways to balance the state budget while offering tax relief to property owners. Morgan argued that players interested in placing bets on their phones could offer a “$3 million a month answer”.

“When I say it’s three million a month, I think that’s right, and it could be low, so it’s going to be a significant tax generator for the state,” Morgan added.

Should the measure be given the green light, state lawmakers are prone to delay action on the matter, thinks Morgan, similar to the petition for medical marijuana, which saw an impressively high number of votes in favor.

“We had a little bit of a delay on the gaming, on the casino, but we got it going. But I think it’s obviously open now, and I think the urgency to create the tax revenue will probably make some sense,” the CEO added.

“I think that the state itself understands that this is something the people want,” he added.

The submission deadline has been set for July, which means that, if all goes well, state gamblers could enjoy mobile sports betting by March Madness next year.