Nebraska Online Sports Betting Vote Enters Final Week As Huskers And State Officials Push Back
Nebraska voters will settle the question of online sports betting on November 3, and campaigns on both sides are making their final push. Initiative Measures 440 and 441, put forward by the Tax Relief Nebraska campaign, would change the state constitution and state statutes to allow mobile wagering through the state’s licensed racetrack casinos, the Nebraska Examiner reported on Sunday.
Nebraskans voted in 2020 to allow casino gambling at licensed racetracks, and placing a sports bet in person at one of those casinos is already legal. Gaming revenue is currently taxed at 20%, and 70% of that tax goes toward property tax relief credits. If the measures pass, online wagers would be taxed and distributed the same way unless lawmakers change it, and the State Racing and Gaming Commission would face a June 1 deadline to adopt any rule changes needed.
Congressional District 2 public hearings for Ballot Initiatives 440 & 441, Online Sports Wagering Authorization & Regulation, & 442, Fairness for Girls, will be held tomorrow, Oct. 24, in Omaha, Nebraska. Learn more at sos.nebraska.gov/elections pic.twitter.com/j7wWNps01p
— NE Secretary of State Robert Evnen (@NebraskaSOS) October 23, 2026
Huskers and state officials campaign for a no vote
Opposition group Save Nebraska Sports has stepped up its effort over the past two weeks. On October 21 it released a letter signed by 45 current and former Husker athletes and coaches, led by former head football coach Tom Osborne. Wrestling head coach Mark Manning is among the signers.
“Husker athletics is about teamwork, discipline, competition and pride in our state,” the letter reads. “We cannot allow it to be used as a vehicle to enrich out-of-state gambling interests at the expense of Nebraska families.”
Two statewide officeholders, Treasurer Joey Spellerberg and Auditor Mike Foley, also appear in an ad paid for by Spellerberg, telling voters that the promised property tax relief will not arrive. Both men are on the ballot themselves this fall.
Supporters focus on revenue and consumer protection
Jordan McGrain, a sponsor of Tax Relief Nebraska, said student-athlete safety deserves a place in the debate, but pointed out that state law already bars bets on the Huskers and other college teams playing at home, and that regulators can add more limits. “Without legalizing and regulating the marketplace, we just get the status quo, which not only provides none of these protections but sees millions of dollars in revenue going across state lines,” he said.
Backers say Nebraskans already drive into neighboring states such as Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado and Wyoming to bet on their phones. State Sen. Jason Prokop of Lincoln, a member of the Appropriations Committee, said the state has few revenue options as lawmakers work to close a projected budget shortfall. “Our revenue options right now are minimal,” Prokop said. The campaign has pointed to a study it commissioned that estimates $166 million in new revenue over ten years.
Operators fund the yes campaign
FanDuel and DK Crown Holdings, the parent company of DraftKings, are the campaign’s main donors, each contributing more than $7 million. Through September 29, Tax Relief Nebraska had raised $14.65 million and spent $9.22 million.
Governor Jim Pillen, who said in 2024 that he supported legalization and is running for reelection, has kept his distance from the measures. “The governor is going to respect the will of the voters,” a spokesperson said. Gaming America first reported on the proposals when online sports betting made the Nebraska ballot in August.
Players trust our reporting due to our commitment to unbiased and professional evaluations of the iGaming sector. We track hundreds of platforms and industry updates daily to ensure our news feed and leaderboards reflect the most recent market shifts. With nearly two decades of experience within iGaming, our team provides a wealth of expert knowledge. This long-standing expertise enables us to deliver thorough, reliable news and guidance to our readers.
Latest News
