Nebraska took a significant step toward determining whether the general public has a desire to make
online sports betting legal
in the Cornhusker State.
Two separate petitions, both with the stated objective of moving ahead with the legalization of online sports betting, have been officially approved for circulation by the state government. This step enables supporters of the cause to begin collecting signatures. If enough signatures are gathered, the measures will be added to the November 2026 ballot as referendums. In essence, this would be putting the future of online sports betting legalization in the hands of the general public.
One step would be a vote on a constitutional amendment that would give the State Legislature the power to legalize and regulate online sports betting in Nebraska. The second petition is seeking to add a statutory measure to the ballot. The companion statute would be an outline to establish a regulatory framework for online sports betting, providing such factors as oversight responsibilities and operational guidelines.
To meet the standard to get the two measures on the ballot as referendums in November 2026, proponents must collect signatures from at least 10% of the registered voters in Nebraska to approve the constitutional amendment. The statutory measure will require the gathering of signatures from 7% of all registered voters. They must also meet 5% geographic requirements across a minimum of 38 of Nebraska’s 93 counties.
Organizers have until July 3 to collect signatures. If the referendums are on the ballot and gain approval from voters, online sports betting would be set to go in Nebraska by June 1, 2027.
Nebraska currently permits in-person sports betting at licensed casinos, but bettors must physically visit those properties to place wagers. That restriction has long been criticized by proponents who argue the state is losing tax revenue to neighboring markets like Iowa, where mobile betting is fully operational.
Nebraska has offered legal and regulated retail sports betting at the state’s land-based casinos since 2021. It’s expected that the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission would be established as the state regulator and issuer of licenses should online sports betting become legal in Nebraska.
A previous attempt to pass a constitutional amendment to legalize online sports betting through the state legislature failed.
Major US sportsbooks are backing Nebraska’s online sports betting bid
Operators of Nebraska’s WarHorse Casino are supporting the petition drive. WarHorse runs the largest casinos in the state, with facilities in Lincoln and Omaha, and a third planned for Sioux City.
The Sports Betting Alliance, a lobby group representing DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, BetMGM, and Bet365 sportsbooks, is also supporting the petition initiative. WarHorse CEO Lance Morgan indicated that DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Bet365, and Circa Sports are interested in forming partnerships with the casino if online sports betting is legalized in Nebraska.
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