Published on: February 16, 2026, at 02:23h.
Updated on: February 16, 2026, at 02:23h.
- A signature-gathering campaign to introduce online sports betting on the Nevada ballot this November is set to launch.
- Nebraska currently restricts sports betting to in-person transactions at commercial casinos.
In Nebraska, sports betting is confined to in-person transactions at licensed commercial casinos. A new campaign is gearing up to collect signatures to place a question on the ballot for online betting in the upcoming November election.
In 2020, Nebraskans approved sports betting via a referendum that allowed casinos to offer slots, table games, and sportsbooks at licensed horse racetracks. However, this legalization solely encompasses in-person betting.
Despite numerous legislative attempts over the past few years to amend the state’s constitution for online sports betting, progress has stalled. Now, a coalition of advocacy groups and the leading casino operator in Nebraska is pushing forward with a grassroots effort.
Secretary Approval
WarHorse Gaming dominates Nebraska’s commercial gaming sector. As a subsidiary of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska (Ho-Chunk), WarHorse has collaborated with the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association to develop three out of six casinos across the state, including WarHorse Casino Lincoln and WarHorse Casino Omaha, with plans for a new track and casino in South Sioux City soon.
In partnership with the Sports Betting Alliance, a firm that supports sports betting and iGaming regulations, WarHorse is advocating for the option of online wagering in Nebraska. Recently, Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen’s office approved the language for the proposed constitutional referendum.
“Amend the Nebraska Constitution to permit the enactment of laws allowing sports wagers to be placed electronically in Nebraska through an authorized platform,” states the initiative petition.
Every casino will be allowed to run or collaborate with a maximum of two online sportsbooks.
To move forward, the campaign must gather valid signatures from at least 10% of registered voters in the state, along with 5% from voters in 38 out of 93 counties. Canvassing will commence at casinos and major sporting events across Nebraska.
Once the signatures are verified by Evnen’s office, the referendum would go before the electorate, where a simple majority is required for passage.
Companion Referendum
The campaign for online sports betting is accompanied by a companion measure titled the “Property Tax Credit Fund Increase From Online Sports Wagering,” which aims to ensure that taxes generated from online sports betting primarily benefit homeowners.
The legalization of commercial casinos in Nebraska was partly to alleviate property taxes for homeowners. Last fall, Governor Jim Pillen (R) noted that the state’s tax benefits from the five active casinos have exceeded prior predictions.
For the 2024 tax year, casino revenues helped reduce the tax burden of a homeowner with a property valued at $200,000 by approximately $250. Expectations for savings are significantly higher for 2025, with Pillen reporting an additional $20 million has been deposited into the property tax relief fund beyond forecasts.
The legalization of online sports betting could further enhance these annual benefits. However, the current discussions around online betting come at a crucial juncture, as federally regulated prediction markets continue to expand their offerings involving sporting events.